Sneha's Recipe: Kokum

The Summer heat is full on now and the never ending thirst to have cool treats and drinks which will soothe the swelter, scorching heat. One such drink that will cool down the heat and give a soothing effect to our body and its system it this apt drink. Kokum is a berry like fruit native to Western Ghats and the coastal region of India, it's an Indian Super fruit.
In English Kokum is known as Garcinia indica, a plant in the mangosteen family (Clusiaceae), which in India known as kokum, which is used in culinary, pharmaceutical and industrial. This drink is prefect and prepared in a jiffy it's no fuss. So lets go to the drink and cool down.

Ingredients

5 -6 Nos Kokum
1 Green chilly - de seeded & finely chopped
2 Tablespoon Jaggery or according to your taste
A pinch or two of roasted Cumin powder
4 Cups water
Shendav Namak/ Salt to taste
1 Teaspoon Lime juice
2 Tablespoons Coriander leaves finely chopped

Method
Rinse the kokum fruits in water. Lightly heat the water and add all the ingredients except coriander and green chilly, stir well and let it rest for a hour or two. When the juice and color of the kokum has been absorbed in the water, strain the juice. Then keep this in the fridge to cool. When ready to serve add the coriander leaves and green chilly, ice cubes. Serve chilled kokum sherbet and feel super cool. The lime juice in this drink gives a lovely tangy feel.

My Notes

This juice can be prepared with sugar also. You can also store this juice in the fridge for a two to 3 days. If you want to store it for more days then do not add the green chilly and coriander leaves .

This is what Maharashtrian's used as a souring agent (apart from tamarind and before the tomatoes came along.)

Labels: Kokum, Juices, Healthy, Preservative free, Summer Fruits, Maharastrian Cuisine, Maharashtra, Sunday Funday

Magic with Berries