Kavum

Kavum are traditional Sri Lankan oil cakes that hold a special place in the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations (Avurudu). These deep-fried cakes are made from a batter of rice flour, coconut milk, treacle (kithul or coconut toddy treacle), and a pinch of turmeric, which gives them their distinctive golden color. Making kavum is a skilled art — achieving the perfect puff and crisp exterior while maintaining a soft, honeyed interior requires precise oil temperature and careful technique. The process is communal, often bringing families together in the kitchen.