Kevum

What is Kevum?

Kevum is a sweet treat from Sri Lanka, made by mixing rice flour with syrup from the kithul palm, then shaping and frying the dough. The most familiar type, konda kevum, is dark and slightly reddish, with a bun-like top that gives it its name. Other versions may have yellow coloring from saffron, or include ingredients like green gram, coconut, sesame, or spices. The outside is crisp from frying, while the inside stays soft and sweet from the treacle.

Where does Kevum come from?

Kevum has a long history in Sri Lanka, with mentions in ancient texts such as the Ummagga Jatakaya, Saddharma Ratnawaliya, and Pujawaliya. Over time, many kinds of kevum have developed, reflecting local tastes and ingredients. The sweet is closely tied to the island's New Year festivities, where it is a symbol of celebration and sharing.

How is Kevum made?

To make kevum, rice flour is combined with kithul treacle to form a thick dough. For konda kevum, salt and cardamom are added for flavor, and the dough is shaped by hand into a form that looks like a hair bun. Other types might include green gram flour, coconut, sesame, urad dal, or spices such as cumin and fennel. Each piece is fried in oil until the outside is crisp and the inside is cooked through.

How and when is Kevum eaten?

Kevum is most often prepared for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, when families make and share it with neighbors and guests. It is enjoyed as a festive sweet, sometimes alongside tea or other traditional snacks. The sweet is offered to visitors and is part of the food spread during holiday gatherings.

Kinds of Kevum

There are at least eighteen types of kevum described in old Sinhala writings. Konda kevum is the most common, but others include naran kevum, which is shaped and colored like a mandarin and contains coconut and green gram; thala kevum, with sesame; undu kevum, flavored with urad dal; and handi kevum, which is seasoned with cumin and fennel. Each version has its own shape, color, and added ingredients.

What Kevum means

Kevum is strongly associated with Sri Lankan New Year celebrations. Making and sharing this sweet is a cherished tradition, and recipes are often passed down in families. Its presence in ancient literature shows its importance in local culture. The sweet is a symbol of hospitality and festivity during the holiday season.

When Kevum is on the table

Questions people ask about Kevum

Good reading and sources

• Kevum on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data