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A traditional Belgian specialty, waffles are of three key varieties. The Liège variety, which gets its name from the Belgian city, is made using pearl sugar. The Brussels waffles are a more buttery version, eaten hot. The third, the soft waffle, is the generic supermarket variety.
“I loved the waffles that I tried during a previous visit to Belgium and recently also in London and the US. I particularly liked the texture of the Liège variety, which is what Wafflist specialises in,” says the owner Nishita Biyani, the niece of Future Group’s Kishore Biyani. “The big challenge was to make the Liège waffle eggless since we are a 100 per cent vegetarian enterprise.”

According to a legend, the Liège waffle was invented in the 18th century by the cook of the Prince-Bishop of Liège. He requested his cook to prepare something tasty and sweet. With the caramel-like melted pearl sugar and the seductive vanilla fragrance emanating during the cooking, the Prince fell in love with this waffle. Soon, the Liege waffle became popular throughout the region and Belgium.

In order to achieve a conclusive result that could match up to the original, Nishita Biyani extensively experimented with the recipe before she arrived at her own secret preparation. Biyani says, “To achieve the same consistency without eggs was quite a task and a labour of love. A lot of effort goes into the preparation. I make the dough the night before, rest it in the fridge for about 12 hours and then pre-bake up to 70 per cent the following morning.” This, she says, helps her control the dough quality that is easily affected due to Mumbai’s fluctuating humidity levels and temperature. The waffles are then finished in the store as and when orders are placed.

Although Wafflist products are flavourful and have a good crunch, these aren’t quite authentic. One can hardly feel the pearl sugar —  a kind of coarse, refined sugar that melts upon baking, just enough to form a thin sweet exterior while maintaining a nice caramel-like crunch. Then there is the absence of the characteristic smell of eggs, mixed with vanilla or cinnamon. In fact, to sell an eggless waffle as the Liège kind isn’t quite fair.

That said, Wafflist attempts something unique and succeeds at it. Some of the items on the menu are quite delectable. Their Oh! Honey (Rs100), with molten honey, a dash of creamy butter and a hint of spicy pepper, is delicious. A few other flavours, such as Chocoloaded (Rs120) that is made using three types of molten Belgian chocolate, and Xoxo (Rs150) that is a combination of strawberries drizzled with hot molten dark chocolate, are worth that trip to Carter Road.

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com