Indian sweetener- Rock Sugar/Mishri/Kalkandu - what is rock sugar?, culinary uses of rock sugar in Indian cooking, how to purchase and store rock sugar?
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Inside The Post -
What is Rock Sugar?/Rock Sugar Uses/Sugar Candy Uses/Kalkandu Uses/Mishri Uses/Kalkandam Uses/Kalakanda Uses/Patika Bellam Uses/Kallu Sakkara Uses/Types of Mishri/Sugar Mishri
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT - "ROCK SUGAR/MISHRI/KALKANDU"
Rock sugar also known as rock candy or sugar candy, is a natural sweetener obtained by cooling supersaturated sugar solution.
The process is called crystallization and supersaturation. The sugar and water are combined then water is slowly evaporated into a gas. What is left behind are the sugar crystals.
APPEARANCE OF ROCK SUGAR/KALKANDU/MISHRI
Rock sugar/Mishri is in small neat squares (Machine-made crystals of rock sugar) or irregular lumps or threaded rock sugar (Dhage wali mishri in Hindi). It has white and lightly transparent in colour and can be light yellow or amber.
FEW INDIAN REGIONAL OR VERNACULAR NAMES OF ROCK SUGAR
Tamil name – Kalkandu.
Malayalam name – Kalkandam.
Telugu name – Kalakanda/Patika bellam.
Kannada name – Kallu sakkare.
Hindi name – Mishri.
English name – Rock candy/Sugar candy.
FLAVOUR OF ROCK SUGAR/KALKANDU
Rock sugar has a milder sweetness level compared to regular refined sugar. It also has a very unique satisfying taste.
INDIAN CULINARY USES OF ROCK SUGAR/MISHRI/KALKANDU
Rock sugar is a traditional ingredient used to make various sweet dishes throughout India. It is also used in festivals and wedding ceremonies.
SOUTH INDIAN CUISINES
In Southern parts of India, Rock sugar is used to make various sweets and serves as a “Prasadam” in Hindu Temples.
FOR EXAMPLE
Palani Panchamirtham (Fruit Jam), Chidambaram Temple Kalkandu Pongal, Tirupati Laddoo, Sharkara Payasam, etc.
In the picture - Kalkandu Sadam Recipe/Kalkandu Pongal Recipe
For the detailed Kalkandu Sadam Recipe/Kalkandu Pongal Recipe. Kindly, click the below link to check out -
🔗Kalkandu Sadam Recipe/Kalkandu Pongal Recipe
Rock sugar can be used to make a regional dish like CHETTINAD Kalkandu Vadai.
Throughout Tamilnadu, you can see a cup of Rock sugar/Kalkandu always placed at the entrance of wedding halls, hotel cash counters, textile shop cash counters, office receptions, etc. It is traditionally placed as a kind of sweet gesture to invite customers.
It is also used in wedding rituals and other celebrations. A few kilograms of kalkandu/rock sugar are exchanged between the bride and groom family and later shared among the relatives (we call this ritual- Kalyana seer varisai in Tamil).
NORTH INDIAN CUISINES
Throughout the Northern part of India, rock sugar/mishri is used to make various festive dishes.
FOR EXAMPLE
Makhan Mishri is made at the festival of Janmashtami, and Jaipuri Mishri mawa is made at the festival of Deepavali.
Rock sugar/Mishri can be used to make ladoo, halwa, kheer, etc.
It also can be used to make special beverages like mishri ka pani.
Rock sugar/Mishri is also an essential ingredient in the Paan masalas and Gulkand recipes.
TIPS TO BUY AND STORE ROCK SUGAR/KALKANDU/MISHRI
Rock sugar/kalkandu/Mishri is available in small neat squares, irregular lumps, and threaded rock sugar (dhage wali mishri).
Rock sugar particularly small neat squares are easily available in any Asian grocery store and also in the online market.
When buying rock sugar, look for fresh, white and light transparent colours and always buy the recently dated items.
HOW TO STORE MISHRI/KALKANDU/ROCK SUGAR?
Always store rock sugar/mishri in an air-tight container in a cool and dry place. If properly stored, it has a long shelf life.
HAPPY COOKING!
with better ingredients for better food.
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