Rama Krishna started selling milk pudding from a mobile cart on the streets of Yousufguda and is now busy supplying over 500 authentic jars to restaurants in the city
Post Date – 10:45 PM, Sat – 1/14/23
Junnu is made from bovine or buffalo colostrum and seasoned with jaggery and cardamom and pepper.
Hyderabad: “junnu” (i.e. milk pudding) was once a popular dish in many households, but is now rarely seen or bought.
Deciding to revive this traditional nutritious and healthy dish, the entrepreneur started selling ‘junnu’ from a mobile cart on the streets of Yousufguda and is now busy supplying over 500 authentic pot dishes to restaurants in the city.
As a computer science graduate, Rama Krishna tried various jobs and even sought employment in Dubai. But it’s his passion for being an entrepreneur that drives him to prepare and serve ‘junnu’ in an authentic and traditional way. The road to success was not easy and he overcame challenges to venture into the ‘Palakollu Junnu’ dessert business and sell ‘junnu’ in crock pots.
Junnu is traditionally made from cow or buffalo colostrum (lactating milk), sweetened with jaggery and flavored with cardamom and pepper, he explained.
The milk is then transferred to an earthen pot and simmered with steam. “Besides being very nutritious and wholesome, this dish has a unique and pleasing taste as it is rich in protein, calcium, vitamins and antibodies,” says Rama Krishna, whose products are quickly gaining popularity among locals. It became popular because they started mentioning him at parties and events.
Since sourcing colostrum is such a difficult task these days, some “junnu” makers prepare the traditional sweet in a different way. “They’re made with milk powder, maida (all purpose flour) and condensed milk. I have no issue with their preparation, but just ask people to try our ‘junnu’ once and enjoy its unique taste,” he said.
Besides the area around Hyderabad, Rama Krishna sources milk from Andhra Pradesh to make this dish at his home. He sells over 500 jars a day, including supplies to bakeries, confectioners and restaurants, and has also been associated with Zomato and Swiggy to expand the reach of his dishes.
