And here we are with konkan special drink a refreshing Solkadhi.

Solkadhi is a beloved Konkan special, made from coconut milk and kokum, and is known for its cooling and digestive properties. It’s often served with rice or as a refreshing drink. Here’s. Solkadhi (also known as solkadi, sol kadhi, kokum kadhi or kokum curry) is an essential drink for cooling the body during blistering Goan summers. This mauve-hued, tart digestive beverage is easy to make, and takes just 10 minutes of active time to prepare.

What is Solkadhi ?

Solkadhi is a type of drink, an appetizer originating from the Indian subcontinent, usually eaten with rice or sometimes drunk after or along with the meal. Popular in the Konkan regions, especially Goa, Magalore and parts of coastal Maharashtra, it is made from coconut milk and dried Kokum skins(agal/amsul), whose anthocyaninpigments provide a deep purple-pink colour.

Solkadhi is made using coconut milk, the liquid extract from fresh coconut, and is typically blended with kokum or agal, along with a touch of salt and chili-garlic paste for flavor and probiotic benefits. This refreshing drink is a key component of Goan, Konkan, and Malvani cuisine, known for its cooling and digestive properties, which balance the spiciness of Western Coastal Indian dishes. Kokum curry, on the other hand, has a tangy taste similar to buttermilk or chaas, but with deeper savory notes.

As with most Indian recipes, there are almost as many ways to make solkadi. It can be made with or without coconut milk, but today I am posting my favourite recipe konkan style Solkadhi recipe.

Solkadhi or (kokum curry) but What is Kokum?

For all those who have never had kokum in their lives, please try this marvelous Indian fruit; it is amazing!

Kokum – Kokum, also known as Garcinia indica, is a fruit-bearing plant from the mangosteen family. It produces dark red fruits that are both sweet and sour. As children, we would snack on kokum fruits sprinkled with salt. Beyond its refreshing taste, kokum offers incredible health benefits, such as reducing anxiety, calming the mind, and improving mood when you’re feeling down. This is because consuming kokum helps boost serotonin levels—the hormone responsible for promoting positivity and happiness.

The simple kokum fruit has the wonderful health benefit of easing your anxiety, calming your mind, and uplifting your mood when you are feeling low. Consuming kokum helps increase the level of serotonin in your body; the mood-enhancing hormone which is responsible for making you feel positive and cheerful.

To get the ingredient we know as kokum or aamsol, the outer flesh of the fruit is dried in the sun. After drying, they turn blackish purple in color. These dried fruits are sour to taste and have a sweetish aroma.

The anthocyanins in the fruit add a dark purple hue to any dish that you add it to, including the purple-pink hue of this kokum curry.

Kokum is used in Goan and Malvan fish or prawn curries as a souring agent. It is also used in the Maharashtrian, Gujarati and Kerala cuisine. One of my favorite recipes using this Indian fruit is known as Kokum Juice.

This amazing fruit is used to rid the body of heat, and also serves to reduce the pitta dosha as per Ayurdeda. Kokum is also good for digestion, as well as helps in reducing itchiness from heat rash.

Actually it is very easy to get kokum if you stay in the southern parts and western coast of India. But if you stay in the north, then you can buy them online.

HOW TO MAKE SOLKADHI ?

Step-by-Step Guide:

Making solkadhi recipe at home is really quite simple. Aside from the requisite soaking time, the whole recipe takes just 10 minutes to assemble when using canned or packaged coconut milk.

If you plan to make homemade coconut milk, then add in some more 10 to 15 minutes to your prep time.

Ingredients:

• 8-10 dried kokum (also called aamsul)
• 2 cups of fresh coconut milk (or canned coconut milk)
• 2-3 green chilies (adjust for spice)
• 2-3 cloves of garlic (optional for added flavor)
• 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds (optional)
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional)
• A small bunch of fresh coriander leaves for garnishing

Instructions:

1. Kokum Preparation:

• Rinse the dried kokum and soak them in warm water for around 30 minutes to soften and release their color.

• After soaking, gently squeeze the kokum to extract the juice. Strain the liquid and set it aside.

 

2.  Coconut Milk:

• If using fresh coconut, blend grated coconut with water and strain it to get the thick coconut milk.
• If using canned coconut milk, dilute slightly with water to reach a smooth consistency.

3.  Optional Spice Mix:

1. • • For a flavorful twist, crush the green chilies, garlic, and cumin seeds to form a paste. This step is optional but adds a spicy kick to the Solkadhi.
2. Combine the Ingredients:
   • In a bowl, mix the strained kokum water with the coconut milk.
   • If using the spice paste, add it to the mixture and stir well.
   • Season with salt and sugar, adjusting to taste. The goal is to balance the tanginess of kokum with the creaminess of coconut milk.

1. Garnish and Serve:
   • Chop the fresh coriander leaves and sprinkle them on top of the Solkadhi.
   • Serve chilled, either as a refreshing beverage or alongside your meal.

TIPS: Always use thick coconut milk and not lite or thin coconut milk when making sol kadi. The lite coconut milk can curdle and separate after mixing with the kokum extract.

If you plan to make your own homemade coconut milk, then use the first extract only. Do not use coconut milk made from coconut powder as this can also curdle it as soon as you add it to the kokum extract

!! And Enjoy yummy and delicious Konkan Special Solkadhi !!

A Short Memory with Solkadhi of Mine:

It was the starting of rainy season And I was in konkan with my family and we stayed in Ganapati pule, The temple of Lord Ganesha. Next morning we went the temple taken the darshan are were coming out but it was raining we still came in the nearest hotel there to have breakfast. And there i had Solkadhi for the first time, litrally it was raining so everywhere was greenery cold air And the yummy and delicious Konkan special Solkadhi. I just love it!! An Amazing teste of coconut milk kokum and the spiese. Next time go in Konkan must try the Konkan Special Solkadhi.