Kokum Agal & 3 Simple Recipes using it

Suppose you're looking for a natural souring agent that adds a unique tangy flavour to your recipes and boasts numerous health benefits. In that case, the pure unadulterated Kokum extract fruit is just what you need.

It is known as Kokum Agal which is a Kokum syrup without sugar. With its balanced flavours and liquid consistency, Kokum agal is the perfect substitute for tamarind or lime in savoury and sweet dishes. And if you're looking for something refreshing on hot summer days, make yourself a glass of Kokum sherbet – it's sure to hit the spot!

Ayurveda tells us that indigestion happens when our digestive process isn't quite complete - thanks to Kapha, which messes with our digestive fire. Kokum Agal can improve our digestive fire and make food easier to digest, thanks to its incredible appetiser and digestive properties. So how to drink Kokum Agal (kokum fruit juice)?

Next time you're feeling sluggish after a meal, have a spoonful of Kokum Agal or, better yet, add it to one of the dishes you cook.

Top 7 Kokum Agal Benefits:

• Rich source of Antioxidants

Kokum Agal is a good source of antioxidants, essential for fighting free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause cellular damage, leading to ageing, chronic diseases, and inflammation.

• Lowers Cholesterol Levels

Kokum Agal is known to help reduce cholesterol levels in the body, thanks to its high hydroxy citric acid (HCA) content, which inhibits the production of enzymes responsible for cholesterol synthesis.

• Kokum Agal Improves Digestion

Consuming Kokum can help improve digestion and fight bloating and constipation. It contains pectin, which is a soluble fibre that promotes bowel regularity.

• Kokum Agal Prevents Cancer

Kokum has been found to contain various phytochemicals that help prevent cancer, such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, and tannins. These compounds have been found to have a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells and stimulate apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells.

 

• Excellent for your skin

When to drink kokum juice? Kokum juice is packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, leaving your skin looking soft, radiant, and supple. The enzyme elastase in kokum juice helps reduce elastin, so your skin stays firm and healthy. Say goodbye to dull, tired-looking skin and get ready for a luminous, youthful glow.

• Kokum Agal Protects Liver

This tasty drink helps lower heat levels in your body. It slows down those pesky processes that can cause oxidative degeneration in your body's lipids. Plus, Kokum Agal can protect your liver from harmful toxins and deterioration.

• Fights Inflammation

Did you know that inflammation in your body can increase the risk of some significant health issues? Adding Kokum juice to your diet can help combat inflammation thanks to some powerful phenolic compounds in the fruit. So sip on some tasty sol kadhi and keep your body healthy.

Recipes using Kokum Agal

Aazol’s Kokum Agal is sugar free Kokum concentrated extract.

Here are 3 interesting ways Kokum extract uses with recipes to add the sour power to your health.

• Kokum Saar

3 tbsp Kokum Agal	1 - 2 Green Chillies, chopped
2 & 1/4 cups Water	1/2 tsp Asafoetida
3 tbsp Kaakvi: Liquid Jaggery	5-6 Curry Leaves
1 tbsp Ghee	2 tsp Coriander Leaves, chopped
2 tsp Cumin seeds	Salt, as required

 

  

• To begin making the Kokum Saar Recipe, add Kokum juice, water, salt and jaggery in a saucepan.
• Please keep it on low flame while preparing the seasoning for the kokum saar. Make sure the saar is not boiling. 
• Heat ghee in a small tadka pan. Add the cumin seeds, hing, curry leaves, and chillies and mix. Allow the seasoning to crackle.
• Take off the heat and pour it over the Kokum Saar.
• Take the Kokum Saar off the heat, garnish with coriander leaves and serve immediately.

 

• Carrot & Radish Salad

1 Carrot	5 – 6 Walnuts
1 Radish	2 tbsp Chopped Coriander
1 tbsp Kokum Agal	Salt & Pepper (optional)
½ tbsp Kaakvi: Liquid Jaggery

 

• Grate carrot and radish
• Pound the walnuts in mortar and pestle
• Mix the radish and carrot in a large bowl with your hands
• Add the Kokum Agal and Kaakvi, it may vary as per your taste
• Garnish with chopped coriander and serve cold
• Add salt or pepper as needed

 

• Bohri Kokum Potato Salad

600g Medium Sized Potatoes	5 Dry Kashmiri Lal Mirch
1 tsp Cumin Seeds	1 tsp Sugar
1 tbsp Coriander Seeds	2 tbsp Oil
5 tbsp Kokum Agal	1 tsp Turmeric Powder
4 – 5 Garlic Cloves	Salt as required

 

 

• Soak the dry red chillies in warm water for 20 minutes.
• Pressure cook the potatoes with salt and turmeric, do not over-boil them.
• Remove the skin and let them dry. Cut them into halves.
• Grind the red chillies, garlic, salt, and kokum agal in a small mixie jar into a smooth paste.
• Dry roast Coriander and Cumin seeds and coarsely grind in a mortar & pestle.
• Heat 2 tbsp oil, add chopped garlic, coriander & cumin powder and mix well.
• Add the paste and mix. Add water if required & add sugar
• Add the boiled potatoes. Mix well so that the masala coats the potatoes well
• Close the lid and cook for 2 minutes.

What is Kokum Syrup?

And how is Aazol’s Kokum Juice different from it, are the two questions which are asked often. The major difference between the two are, that the syrup has a sugar base whereas the agal has no added sugar or salt in it.

Our partners are a women-led Self Help Group headed by Neelima Madhukar Naik and Snehal Pravin Naik, who started Naik's Konkan Food Bazaar in 2006. Not only are they bringing cultural values and traditional recipes to families in India and around the world, but also producing a product of unmatched quality by incorporating the finest local ingredients available.

So for anyone looking for a flavourful treat, you must try Aazol's Kokum Juice!

By doing this, you will be supporting local economies and helping talented female micro-entrepreneurs along the way.

Author: Jinal Aidasani