How to use kokum for health benefits ?

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In the last blog "Kokum benefits", I have explained about kokum. It is one of the native Indian fruits. It is available in Western ghat of India. In this blog I will write about “How to use kokum?”

Outlines –

Adds flavour
Raw fruit
Kokum syrup
Kokum water
Kokum Sherbet
Kokum butter

1. - Kokum adds flavour to Indian side dishes.

The process to use – Separate the peels of Kokum from the pulp. The peel is thick and red in colour. The pulp can be used for other purposes and peel can be used as a spice. Kokum peels will be dried with some salt on it. The peel of Kokum turns dark red from red after drying. This dried fruit peel can be stored for a year. After completely dry, it can be added in many side dishes. The flavour taste is like tamarind or lemon. So, you can use this instead of tamarind and lemon in your curries.

2. - Raw fruit – When it is tender, it is green in colour. Thus green kokum is not beneficial. When it ripens, it turns to red. This red Kokum is very beneficial for our health. It is easy to consume in a raw form. You should eat the pulp only not the peel. Peel is useful for making spices.

3. - Kokum Syrup – Kokum will be soaked in water for 10 to 15 minutes. Sugar will be taken double the amount of kokum taken. The first step is to grind soaked kokum. The grind should be refined. The soaked water can be used during grinding. After a successful grinding, the pate will be heated. During the heating process, sugar will be added. Mix the paste and sugar very well. Kokum syrup is prepared. This syrup can be used later for preparing kokum water and kokum sherbet.

4. - Kokum water or kokum agal – It acts as an antacid. For preparing kokum water, first, take some kokum syrup and add some lemon juice or pudina. This water s used to prevent dehydration and acidity.

(Picture Source - Shutterstock)

5. - Kokum Sherbet – Kokum sherbet is also beneficial for our health. For preparing this sherbet you can add some salt to the kokum syrup. Then add some water and ice cubes to the syrup. Kokum sherbet is ready. Ice cubes are completely optional to take.

6. - Kokum Butter – This is great for skin and hair.

The process is quite lengthy but it is available in the market. I am writing the making procedure from http://www.kokumbutter.net/kokum-butter-manufacturing-process/

i. Kokum seeds are cleaned.

ii. These seeds are dried under the sun in order to remove excess moisture.

iii. Dry seeds are hulled to expose kernels and shells.

iv. These go through a process of winnowing (blowing a current of air) to retain kernels whereas seed shells are discarded.

v. Clean kokum kernels are boiled using a steam boiler.

vi. These kernels are then sent to the oil-press to obtain kokum oil.

vii. Crude kokum oil is heated to remove traces of moisture.

viii. The hot kokum oil is physically filtered twice to remove scum, floating debris and heavier impurities.

ix. Pure oil obtained after double filtration is cooled to create kokum butter slabs and cubes of varying sizes and weights.

Now I am curious about “How to use Kokum butter for hair and skin?” I was unaware of this use. After I know, I have searched on youtube. I got that people are using kokum butter for skin, hair and treatment of crack heel. The videos are lengthy and they use many other ingredients. They are getting the desired results also. You can search for D.I.Y. Kokum butter for skin or hair.

According to “Indian Superfoods book” – Application of kokum butter to your feet by rubbing can give you a stress-free sleep. This kokum butter is being used in many cosmetics such as soaps. It nurtures skin cells and helps in regeneration of skin cells.

These information are collected from different books and trusted internet sources. This recipes are for healthy people to maintain their health. If you have any disease then please consult a doctor before consuming these recipes. As such there are no negative effects of these above given recipes but if you face any problem then stop consuming this fruit.

Thank you for reading.

For more knowledge about local foods. Search for www.localfoodbenefits.blogspot.com

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For the benefits of eating Cashew - http://localfoodbenefits.blogspot.com/2020/06/local-food-4-cashew-and-its-benefit.html

For the benefits of including ghee to your diet - http://localfoodbenefits.blogspot.com/2020/06/local-food5-gheethe-best-desi-product.html

For the benefits of sugarcane - http://localfoodbenefits.blogspot.com/2020/06/local-food-6-benefits-of-sugarcane-and.html

For the benefits of Kokum - http://localfoodbenefits.blogspot.com/2020/06/local-food-7-kokum-natural-antacid.html