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Madurai jigarthanda

AI-drafted · awaiting admin review

A chilled drink of reduced milk, almond gum, nannari syrup and ice cream, the famous cooler of Madurai.

Region: MaduraiOccasion: Summer; any time of dayTime: 20 min + 4 hours soaking and chillingServes: 2Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp almond gum (badam pisin)
  • 2 cups full-cream milk
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp nannari (Indian sarsaparilla) syrup
  • 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
  • Ice cubes

Method

  1. Soak the almond gum in water for at least 4 hours or overnight until it swells into a soft jelly.
  2. Boil the milk with the sugar and simmer, stirring, until it reduces by half and turns light brown. Chill it.
  3. In each tall glass, put 2 tbsp of the swollen almond gum and 1 tbsp nannari syrup.
  4. Add a few ice cubes and pour in the chilled reduced milk.
  5. Top with a scoop of ice cream and serve at once.

History

Jigarthanda is popularly said to mean 'cool heart'. It has been sold in Madurai's shops and street stalls for decades.

Significance

It is the drink people seek out in Madurai's hot summers and a well-known symbol of the city's food culture.

Sources