What is the Difference Between Kheer and Phirni

Kheer and Phirni are both popular Indian rice-based desserts made with milk, sugar, and aromatic spices. Although these sweet desserts share some similarities, they also have differences, especially regarding the type of rice they use and their texture.

What is the difference between Kheer and Phirni? Kheer is made with whole rice grains, whereas Phirni is made with ground rice. Therefore, Phirni has a smoother and creamier texture than Kheer.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Kheer  
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Phirni
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Kheer and Phirni
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Kheer and Phirni
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Kheer and Phirni
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Kheer, Phirni, Payasam, Rice Pudding

What is Kheer

Kheer is a popular Indian dessert that’s similar to rice pudding. It’s made by slowly cooking rice, milk, and sugar together until it becomes thick and creamy. Most Kheer recipes also include ingredients like cardamom, saffron, and sometimes raisins. Some people also top them with nuts like pistachios, cashews, and almonds. Moreover, Basmati rice is the most common type of rice used to make Kheer.

Although rice is the most common base in Kheer, it can also be made using cracked wheat, vermicelli, or tapioca. In southern India, Kheer is often called payasam. Kheer is mainly enjoyed across India, especially during festivals, celebrations, and special occasions, by people of many religions.

How To Make Kheer

1. Pour milk into a large, heavy-bottomed pan and add a few cardamom pods.
2. Bring the milk to a boil over medium heat.
3. Next add rinsed rice to the boiling milk and lower the heat.
4. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 40 minutes, stirring often.
5. Once the rice is very soft, stir in sugar and let it dissolve completely.
6. Remove the cardamom pods from the mixture.
7. Then mix in some cream, rosewater, and saffron water for aroma and color.
8. Add sliced almonds and soaked raisins.
9. Serve warm or chilled.

What is Phirni

Phirni is a simple rice-based dessert made by cooking ground rice or rice flour in milk. It is usually served cold in small clay bowls called shikoras. These clay bowls help absorb excess moisture and slightly thicken the dessert. Phirni can be flavored with cardamom, saffron, or rose water. Furthermore, like Kheer, most people place nuts like almonds and pistachios on top of this dessert.

Phirni is commonly made during festivals and special occasions like Eid or Ramadan. Furthermore, in Afghanistan, a similar version called firnee is prepared with cornstarch. This is often flavored with rose water or banana.

How To Make Phirni

1. Rinse ¼ cup of basmati rice, then dry and grind it into a coarse powder.
2. Boil 1 liter of milk in a pan.
3. Add the ground rice to the boiling milk while stirring to avoid lumps.
4. Add ½ cup sugar and keep stirring.
5. Cook on low heat until the rice softens and the mixture thickens.
6. Mix saffron strands in a little warm milk and add to the mixture.
7. Then, add cardamom powder for flavor.
8. Stir in sliced blanched almonds and pistachios.
9. Next, add a bit of rosewater for a finishing touch.
10. Pour the Phirni into small bowls, top with more nuts, and chill before serving.

Similarities Between Kheer and Phirni

• Both are Indian desserts made with milk and rice.
• Both are creamy and sweet in taste.
• In addition, they use cardamom, saffron, and rosewater for flavor.
• Nuts like almonds and pistachios are added to both desserts.

Difference Between Kheer and Phirni

Definition

• Kheer is a popular Indian dessert that’s made by slowly cooking rice, milk, and sugar together until it becomes thick and creamy. Phirni, on the other hand, is a simple rice-based dessert made by cooking ground rice or rice flour in milk.

Rice Type

• Kheer is made with whole rice grains, whereas Phirni is made with ground rice.

Texture

• Kheer has a slightly runny, grainy texture, while Phirni is smoother and creamier.

Cooking Time

• Kheer takes longer to cook since it uses whole rice, but Phirni cooks faster due to the ground rice.

Container

• Kheer is usually served in bowls or dishes, whereas Phirni is traditionally served in small clay pots.

Serving

• Kheer can be served warm or cold, whereas Phirni is always served chilled.

FAQ: Kheer and Phirni

1. What is the second name of Kheer?

The second name of Kheer is Payasam. It is generally called payasam in South India. Moreover, some other regional names for Kheer are Ksheeram, Doodh Pak, Payesh, and Khiri.

2. What is the difference between Kheer and sheer?

Kheer and Sheer are both milk-based desserts, but the main difference is that Kheer is made with rice, milk, and sugar, whereas sheer ( which is short for Sheer Khurma) is made with vermicelli, milk, sugar, dates, and dry fruits.

3. What is Phirni called in English?

Phirni is commonly called ground rice pudding or rice flour pudding in English. It’s a creamy dessert made with ground rice, milk, and sugar and flavored with cardamom, saffron, and nuts.

4. Is Phirni eaten cold or hot?

Phirni is eaten cold. It is traditionally chilled before serving, which gives it a thick, creamy texture and enhances its flavor, especially when served in small clay pots.

Reference:

1. “Kheer Recipe (Rice Kheer).” Dassana’s Veg Recipes.

2. “Phirni Recipe | How to make Firni.” Dassana’s Veg Recipes.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Rice Kheer or Rice Pudding” By Mdsmds0 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Firni Or Phirni” By Sumit Surai – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia