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Panakam

AI-drafted · awaiting admin review

A cooling drink of jaggery water with dry ginger, cardamom and lemon, offered on Rama Navami.

Region: Puducherry and Tamil NaduOccasion: Sri Rama Navami; summerTime: 10 minServes: 4Vegan

Ingredients

  • ½ cup grated jaggery
  • 3 cups water
  • ½ tsp dry ginger powder (sukku)
  • ¼ tsp cardamom powder
  • A pinch of black pepper powder
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • A pinch of edible camphor (optional)

Method

  1. Dissolve the jaggery in the water and strain to remove grit.
  2. Add dry ginger, cardamom, pepper and lemon juice and stir well.
  3. Add the camphor if using and taste for sweetness.
  4. Offer and serve at room temperature or cool.

History

Panakam is an old temple drink of South India, made with only a few pantry ingredients.

Significance

On Rama Navami panakam, neer mor (spiced buttermilk) and sundal are offered and given out to devotees in the summer heat.

Sources