We have all been experiencing the brunt of the unbearable heat this month. With temperatures soaring high, even a walk under the sun can be a strenuous experience. What if we told you that there was a way to cool your body naturally? Would you try it? This fruit, grown only in the coastal regions of South India, has powerful cooling abilities. You are all familiar with it. We are in fact talking about Kokum!
It’s scientific name is Garcinia Indica, and is mostly used in Gujarat, Maharashtra and other Southern regions. The Indian Spice Board has classified it both as a spice as well as a fruit. As a fruit, it is usually broken into half and dried. Colour ranges from purple to dark black. The darker the colour, the better it is. Dried Kokum usually stays for a year if placed in an airtight container.
How Do You Use It?
- Culinary purpose: It is known for its sour taste. It can be replaced for tamarind in dishes like Sambhar, coconut curries, fish curries, regular yellow Gujarati style dal. Two or three small dried kokums are enough to prepare a single dish.
- As a coolant in summers: Kokum Sherbet and Solkadhi
Kokum Sherbet
A glass of Kokum Sherbet before you step out in the sun or once you come indoors will do wonders. Usually, you get ready-made pulp which needs to be diluted with water OR you can prepare this pulp at home. Here is the short method on how to prepare it at home:
- Soak a cup of Kokum in water for 3-4 hours
- Once soft, mash them and strain the liquid
- In a pan, take the leftover pulp, add sugar (same amount as kokum), 1tsp of cumin seeds powder and salt as per taste
- Stir and cook this mixture until sugar melts.
- Add the strained Kokum water and cook for 5 more minutes
- Let it cool and store the Kokum concentrate in a container
Solkadhi
This drink is made from coconut milk and Kokum. It is usually consumed with a rice preparation or it is drunk after meals. Here’s the method to prepare it at home:
- Soak a cup of Kokum and keep it aside for 30 mins
- Once soft, mash them and strain the liquid
- Add half a glass of coconut milk to the liquid and stir well
- Temper it with cumin seeds if you like
Kokum Butter
Used for cosmetic purposes only, Kokum Butter helps to unclog pores, kills bacteria, reduces acne and smoothens skin. It as a whole or its products like Kokum powder, oil, butter or Kokum rinds are all available.
Health Benefits
- Ayurvedic Uses: Eases the episodes of diarrhoea, dysentery and piles by fighting against bacteria like E. Coli. The cooling effect of Kokum helps in getting relief from burning sensations due to stomach ulcers. It fights against ulcer-causing bacteria Helicobacter Pylori.
- Weight Management: Want to lose those extra kilos? Hydroxycitric Acid found in Kokum is an anti-obesity agent. It gives you a feeling of fullness and you end up eating less.
- Anti-Cancer Effect: Garcinol, an antioxidant found in Kokum inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
- Relieves Anxiety and Depression: Serotonin is a hormone. Hydroxycitric Acid in it increases the level of this feel-good hormone, thereby reduces the anxiety.
- Slows Down Skin Ageing: Kokum butter helps to smoothen the skin. It is found in various lip balms, creams and moisturizers. Ageing happens when an enzyme, Elastase breaks down the Elastin of skin (Elastin keeps your skin supple and intact). It inhibits the action of Elastase and thereby stops the breaking of the pigment Elastin.
What are you waiting for? Go out there and stock up on this wonder Spice! Was this article helpful? Let us know in the comments below.
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