Panakam
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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
- Dissolve the jaggery in the water and strain to remove grit.
- Add dry ginger, cardamom, pepper and lemon juice and stir well.
- Add the camphor if using and taste for sweetness.
- 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.