Desis react to Tim Hortons’ ‘chikki donut’: Accusations of Diwali ‘whitewashing’ ignite online backlash

Diwali is back, and so are the irresistible sweets that make the festival complete. From Soan Papdi to Kaju Katli, these sugary delights come neatly packaged, bringing joy to Desis across India. However, this year, a renowned coffee chain decided to add a Desi twist to their donuts, causing a stir among online users.

Tim Hortons, a Canadian multinational coffeehouse and restaurant chain, introduced donuts infused with Indian flavors like jalebi, pistachios, and chikki. The menu featured Jalebi Cheesecake Donut, Caramel Pistachios Donut, and Choco Chikki Donut, priced at Rs. 185. The move sparked a range of reactions online, with some expressing concern and others defending the creative fusion.

Skeptics couldn’t help but voice their worries, with one user commenting, “All of these sound like diabetes.” Another user, grappling with the combination of jalebi and cheesecake, lamented, “Feels wrong to read jalebi & cheesecake in the same breath.” A third user humorously predicted, “Well, some street food vendor in India will take revenge soon.”

While critics shared their reservations, there were those who were open to trying the innovative donuts. One user defended the move, stating, “It is fine when we do it… Why not them? When we eat Kulhad Pizza or Gulaab Jamun on Ice cream, they don’t think we are Brown washing their dishes.” Another user couldn’t help but find the name “choco chikki” cute.

This isn’t the first time a coffeehouse chain has stirred the internet with a fusion attempt. A British chain previously named a croissant “Cramosa,” resembling the popular Indian snack “Samosa.” The quirky food combination sparked a frenzy on Indian Twitter, with users sharing hilarious reactions to the unconventional pairing.

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