Bellam Gavvalu: Andhra's Shell-Shaped Jaggery Sweet

Gavvalu are small, crunchy, shell-shaped sweets that turn up in almost every Andhra home at festival time. If you have searched for gavalu and wondered what exactly they are, here is the short version.

What are gavvalu?

Gavva means cowrie shell in Telugu, and that is exactly what these look like. Small pieces of dough are pressed and rolled over a ridged board or the back of a fork to get the shell shape and ridges, then fried until crisp.

Bellam gavvalu are the jaggery version. After frying, the gavvalu are tossed in a jaggery syrup cooked to just the right stage, so each shell gets a thin, glossy coating that sets hard as it cools. The ridges hold the jaggery, which is why every bite is crunchy and sweet.

When they're made

Gavvalu are a Sankranti favourite, but they are made for most festivals and are a common snack to pack for children and for long journeys. They keep well, they don't crumble in a bag, and they are easy to share.

Bellam gavvalu price per kg

Our bellam gavvalu cost ₹320 per kg, with 250 g for ₹85 and 500 g for ₹165.

How to store them

Keep gavvalu in an airtight container in a dry place. Jaggery pulls moisture from the air, so a loosely closed box makes them sticky. Stored well, they stay crunchy for about 15 days.

If you like jaggery sweets, our guide to bellam sweets covers sunnundalu, nuvvula undalu and the other jaggery classics of Andhra kitchens.