A drink you did not know during Ramadan!
Air Katira drink, or Air Katira in Malay, is often served during Ramadan because of its cooling property.
The drink is mainly cold and refreshing, made with evaporated milk, pandan (screwpine) flavored syrup, kathira gum, biji selasih (basil seeds) and buah kembang semangkuk (malava nuts). It is one of the popular drinks sold during the fasting month of Ramadan in Singapore and Malaysia. There are many versions of this drink, There are bandung (rose syrup) blueberry or chocolate flavoured, just to name a few. I have yet to see soybean air kathira with less sugar, it will be a healthier choice for the health conscious? Katira is a natural gum extracted from a tree, you can find it in powder form or in small opaque chunks. It’s been told that katira gum is consumed to reduce heatiness so that is just what we need in hot and humid South East Asia.
Originally a South Indian Muslim beverage, it’s hard to miss this drink if you go to any Ramadhan food bazaar. You can also prepare it at home and we are going to run down the steps for you.
Air Katira (Katira Drink)
Ingredients:
1 tbsp katira (tragacanth gum)
5-10 pieces kamang / kembang semangkok (flower bowl)
1 tbsp biji selasih (basil seeds)
3/4 cup barley syrup (not lemon barley)
1/2 cup evaporated milk
about 6 cups water
ice cubes
Method:
1. Soak the katira in water for at least half a day or overnight, depending on the size of the katira. It’s ready to be used when the katira becomes soft & looks jelly-like. Once soft, strain. Then rinse & strain again. Set aside.
2. Soak the kamang/kembang semangkuk in a large bowl of water. It doesn’t take long for it to swell & turn soft, just 1-2 hours. Once softened, strain & remove the skin & seeds. Then rinse with cool water & strain again. Set aside.
3. Soak the biji selasih in a bowl of water. This also doesn’t take long for it to swell & turn soft. Once softened, strain & rinse with cool water. Strain & set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine katira, kamang/kembang semangkuk & biji selasih.
5. Add in barley syrup, evaporated milk & water. Mix well & taste. Adjust the taste by adjusting the amount of syrup, milk &/or water to your preference. Add ice cubes or crushed ice before serving.