Drinks
Jain Jaljeera
The Quirky Foodster Team
Ingredients
- 20 g (1/2 cup, packed) fresh mint leaves
- 15 g (1/4 cup, packed) fresh coriander leaves
- 2 tbsp tamarind pulp
- 1 tbsp roasted cumin powder
- 1 tsp black salt
- Salt, to taste
- 1 tsp sugar, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 litre (4 cups) chilled water
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- Ice cubes, to serve
Method
- Blend the mint, coriander and tamarind pulp with 200ml (scant 1 cup) of the water until smooth.
- Strain through a fine sieve into a jug, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the solids.
- Stir in the cumin powder, black salt, regular salt, sugar and black pepper until fully dissolved.
- Add the remaining water and the lime juice, and stir well to combine.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes, then taste and adjust the salt, sugar or lime as needed.
- Serve over ice, stirring again just before pouring as the spices settle.
Introduction: Jaljeera is a tangy, spiced cumin-and-mint water served ice-cold as a welcome drink or palate refresher
between courses of a large meal. Its ingredients — cumin, mint, tamarind and citrus — have never included
onion or garlic, so it needs no adaptation to sit comfortably on a Jain table.
Cultural Background: Jaljeera is a tangy, spiced cumin-and-mint water served ice-cold as a welcome drink or palate refresher
between courses of a large meal. Its ingredients — cumin, mint, tamarind and citrus — have never included
onion or garlic, so it needs no adaptation to sit comfortably on a Jain table.
Tips: Straining the mint-coriander-tamarind blend well gives a clear, refreshing drink rather than a pulpy one. Stir jaljeera again right before serving, as the spices tend to settle at the bottom of the jug.
Variations: Add a splash of chilled sparkling water just before serving for a fizzy version. Add finely diced raw mango for extra tang in season.
Storage: Keeps in an airtight jug or bottle in the fridge for up to 2 days; stir well before serving.
Reheating: Not applicable — served chilled.
Nutrition (approximate, per serving)
Approx. 25 kcal, 1g protein, 0g fat, 6g carbohydrate, 1g fibre per serving.
Vegetarian / Vegan
Naturally vegetarian and vegan.
FAQs:
Q: Can jaljeera be made without tamarind?
A: Yes, extra lime juice can substitute for the tang, though tamarind gives a rounder, less sharp sourness.
Q: Is jaljeera the same as a digestive drink?
A: It's traditionally understood to help settle the stomach after a heavy meal, thanks to the roasted cumin and black salt, though this is a customary belief rather than a medical claim.
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