Maria Nasir
Falsay ka Sharbat – a quintessential summer flavour:
Falsa (Grewia Asiatica) is a tiny fruit that resembles blue berries. The tree is bushy and considered to be a native to South Asia from Pakistan to Cambodia and many other Tropical countries. When mercury rises in the subcontinent, the demand for this fruit spikes as well. It’s not only enjoyed with a little sprinkle of salt and pepper but many recipes are created out of it to make it last through the summers, like pickles, jams and falsay ka sharbat.
Falsa Berry Health Benefits:
The fruit tastes sour-sweet and is at its best when ripe. Even the unripe Falsa has amazing health benefits – it is very effective in alleviating inflammation. So, it can do well for respiratory, cardiac and hematologic inflammatory conditions as well in feverish states. Falsa is often advised from patients who suffer from asthma, bronchitis, colds, coughs, and sore throats. These tiny berries are loaded with medicinal benefits; it’s rich in Vitamin C, Calcium, Phosphorus and fiber. It gives relief in inflammation, nausea and fever, purifies blood and regulates blood pressure and cholesterol.
Substitutes & How to Preserve Falsay Ka Sharbat:
Falsay ka Sharbat is one of the most refreshing of summer coolants. To keep it towards the healthier side, I add unprocessed, organic brown sugar or jaggery to it. You can also use white sugar. A hint of rose water increases the felling of freshness manifold. But if you cannot find it where you live, just add a sprig of fresh mint and a few lemon slices to it. To preserve this delicious drink beyond the season, you can cook the fruit with sugar and water to a thick syrup/squash and later on dilute it with water to make an instant drink.
If You Like This Recipe, Check Out The Following
Ingredients:
- 1 kg Falsa berries
- 8 cups water
- 1+1/2 cup sugar/jaggery
- 1+1/2 cup sugar/jaggery
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1 tablespoon rose water
This Is What You Do:
Method 1
Thoroughly wash Falsa under running water.
Soak Falsa berries in 4 cups of water over night or several hours.
Mash them up by hand or blend them in an electric blender with the soaking water.
Pour throw a fine sieve or muslin cloth to get rid of the grainy bits of Falsa pits.
Boil 4 cups of water with sugar, salt and cumin seeds till the sugar is dissolved and water slightly reduced.
Method 2
Boil the clean fruit with water, sugar, salt and cumin seeds for 30 minutes. (If you want to make fruit squash and preserve it, keep cooking till the juice and sugar thickens to a syrup like consistency.
Cool and fill in bottles, dilute with water before use).
Mash up the softened fruit with the stirring spoon or spatula.
Pass all the liquid and fruit through a sieve to remove fruit pulp and pits.
Stir in rose water.
Serve chilled with lots of ice cubes.
Cool the water, add it to Falsa juice.
Stir in a spoonful of rose water.
I learnt something new today, although I think you have mentioned these berries before – signs of old age! This looks like such a delicious summer drink, Maria. I love tart and sweet drinks, they cut right through your thirst. Going to try and hunt them down!
Haha! Yes, it’s an old post from G+ days. Just revamped with new clicks and improved SEO. I’m sure you’ll love these berries if your able to source them online.
Falsey ka sharbat sounds interesting .Bookmarking this recipe. Awesome share Maria.
Thank you, Preethi! It’s really an effective and delicious summer coolant. 😊
Ah, this post is reminding me my days in India, Falyse with black salt and those scorching summer days. But never tried sharbat, colourful and nutritious drink.
Thank you Jagruti! If you like the falsa and black salt combo, your sure in for a flavourful treat witj this sherbet 😊
Never taste these berries dear. But would love to try this drink and What a wonderful vibrant color !!!
Back in India, I loved eating falsay with a pinch of black salt. This sharbat reminds me of those days. Such refreshing and tasty drink.
This post just refreshed my memories, I remember having falsa with chana batata at Byculla, it was such a staple. Your drink looks lovely 🙂
Falsay ka sharbet looks delicious and apt for summer, I have never tasted it. Hope I get my hands on it sometime. Nice share Maria.
Amazingly refreshing drink. Looks beautiful . Love Falsa .. Such yummy drinks are lifeline of this summer .. lovely share dear
Never had a chance to taste these berries and the sharbat..but what a droolesome post it is ..the drink looks refreshing and is a visual treat for sure. Wonderful share !
When we went to Delhi for the BM meet our friends took us to a shop in Chandni Chowk for ice cream. In the variety, we ate one stood out and that was falsa ice cream. I loved the distinctive taste. Wish I can source them here have been looking for them.
This sharbat sounds so yummy. Will love some of it today it’s so hot right now.
Quite an interesting drink, never had a chance to taste these sort of Asiatica fruit’s drinks. Thanks for sharing these sort of refreshing drink with us. Real virtual treat to eyes.
This looks so refreshing and delicious. Drooling over here. Thanks for sharing this yummilicious drink perfect for this summer😋
Loved the drink recipe and a wonderful vibrant color. Perfect for summertime 🙂
I have heard about falsay ka sharbat. But never tasted. This looks so refreshing and delicious. Thanks for sharing. Superb share.
I’ve heard about these berries but have never tasted them. Your sharbat is so tempting, wish I could try it. Perfect drink to break the fast during Ramadan.
That is a very interesting and very refreshing drink with falsa. I have never tried a drink with falsa and would love to enjoy this on a hot summer day.
I have never tasted this sharbat anytime.. I think these berries have a sour taste.
I wish I could taste this drink(it looks soo good and refreshing:).. I have never tasted Falsa before.. Will try if i can find it here in the US.. Thanks for introducing me to this fruit and drink:)
Thank you so much dearest Shubha 😊 I don’t know if you can find falsa in US unless it’s imported from South Asia or Tropical countries. If you can’t, you can substitute it with blue berries and black currents 😊