The Higher Taste is an ISKCON shop that sells pastries, mithai and other organic products. Though this shop is in existence for more than 3 years now, I was not aware of it until one of my colleague recently boasted about the quality and the taste of various items sold here. That too when he mentioned the shop is associated with ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), I was pretty sure about the food hygiene and it was only a matter of time before our entire group of office commute cab mates decided to visit the place.
This sweets shop is situated in Jayanagar 4th block, the heart of south Bangalore. To be precise, the shop is in the same building as that of Cafe Coffee Day on 9th Main, behind Jain Temple and opposite to RV College of Physiotherapy. Shop is open on all days between 10 am and 9 pm. The speciality of all delicacies sold here are prepared in sattvic (from sattva, the sanskrit word for ‘pure’) style, which is a pure, wholesome way of cooking according to certain ‘Vedic’ methods. It is prepared without the use of ingredients such as garlic, onion, eggs, caffeine and is never over spiced. Sattvic food when cooked according to the principles of the Vedas, sattvic food creates positive vibrations, cleansing both body and mind. Also, the origins of sattvic food lie in India’s most sacred scripture ‘The Bhagavad Geeta’.
As you enter the bakery, the first thing that notice is the free ‘prasadam’ at the cash counter. This is followed by an array of various indian sweets in all shapes and colors ranging from kaju, pista and badam sweets. If you get to visit, do check out the pastries and cakes. Don’t miss the doughnuts and banana-walnut cakes which are my favorite! It goes without saying, all the items sold here are made eggless. Oh yeah, all the packed pastries have ‘Use By’ date to assure you of the best of quality and taste.
If you are calories conscious, there is a separate counter with low-calorie/sugar free sweets prepared using crystal fructose which is suitable for diabetics. Hence it becomes very tempting for all the foodies, living up to its reputation with its array of confectioneries and bakery items. You will be surprised to see the local favorites like chakli, nippattu, kodbale, veg puff, bread rolls, spinach and corn puff, cheese puff, kachori, samosa etc., The sweets sold here are garnished with 100% pure vegetarian silver varks and you can ask for the certificate if it sounds unbelievable.
I have become a fan of this store and we stop occasionally on our way back home for pleasing our taste buds, a STRONG recommendation from my side for sure!
Higher Taste says
Thanks for sharing good experience!
Maushmi says
This question may sound dumb, but just to confirm, are these made 100% without artificial colours/flavours/preservatives? Or can it be argued that artificial colour/flavours do fall under satvik category (by some logic/argument)?
Ashish says
Shop is relocated to Maleshvarum 17 cross Kalanjali Bangalore
Manjari says
They have another similar outlet in malleshwaram . New store.
Gopi B says
Mohan,
Thanks for the wonderful, article.
I have just one question, the vark, used for the sweets are also completely vegetarian right. Could you please suggest.
Regards
Gopi B
Manjari says
Yes. The silver foil is also vergetarian. They have clearly mentioned on one of the walls inside the store.
Mohan says
Thanks for the details Manjari! appreciate your inputs.
Jugmendra says
Where ISKCON is unique in itself, ISKCON will also give us a matchless taste. We can also see uniqueness in the pics. Jeevan you are perfectly right Really Muh Me paani aa gaya.
Mohan says
I can’t say more than what you have already mentioned!
Jeevan says
Yummy pics Mohan. 🙂 (Mooh mein paani aa gayaa)
Mohan says
Thanks Jeevan!
Roshmi says
Wasn’t aware of this shop. So, thanks for letting me know.
However, am unsure whether garlic, onions, etc have been portrayed as not good for consumption. They have medicinal properties, no?
Mohan says
Agree with you Roshmi, garlic and onions are not used here based on the Vedic way of preparing food. I will try to get more clarity on this.
Mohan says
Here is the more detailed answer for your question Roshmi:
Eating onions and garlic adversely affects one’s consciousness. Why?
Because the modes of goodness, passion, and ignorance influence every living thing – human, animal, or plant – and we learn from the Vedic literature that onions and garlic are in the lower modes of nature: passion and ignorance. They cause a disturbance, and even pain and sickness to those who eat them.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita (Verse 17.9) confirms the above thus: ‘Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, misery and disease.’
Onion and garlic fall in this category. They excite the baser instincts and make it difficult for one to control the senses. Srimad Bhagavatam (Verse 1.9.26) says, “For the intelligent men, controlling the senses is the most essential qualification. It is the basis of morality.”
Thanks to Sakthi Murugam Subramani (aka SMS) for getting all the relevant quotes!
PN Subramanian says
Interesting post. Strangely here the shop is away from the ISCON temple complex. Generally there are similar outlets within their campuses.
Mohan says
Yeah, I believe this one is to cater to the south bangaloreans as the Hare Krishna hill is pretty far from this area.
Archanth says
Good explanation of this ISKCON sweets. This is the first time i am hearing about the praises of a sweet shop in internet with adequate explanation of each thing of shop quality. Amazing approach to describe the quality of this shop from starting to end with appropriate words.
Mohan says
Thank you!
S.R.Ayyangar says
Let me try once I get back to Bangalore in Dec, right time for cakes & pastries!
Mohan says
Ayyangar – I am sure, you would love the items here 🙂