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A traditional Indian Ice cream has a unique texture and taste. It is completely different from the actual Ice cream based on its dense texture and flavour of ingredients. Traditional Indian ice cream is prepared with limited ingredients such as milk, sugar, spices, and nuts, and stored at a frozen temperature.
Related: What Was the First Ice Cream Flavor?
This frozen sweet treat originated centuries ago in India. Also, traditional Indian ice cream includes Kulfi and Falooda. Its main ingredient is milk, which contains more fat than any other type of Ice cream. These Ice creams originated in the 16th century in the Indian Subcontinent during the period of the Mughals. They often add some species, nuts, and fruits. To add more flavour, they add saffron, cardamom, etc.
It is important to know the traditional way of preparing Ice cream. Also, Kulfi is an Indian frozen dessert. Let us know some important facts about Kulfi.
What Is Kulfi?
Kulfi is an Indian traditional Ice cream prepared completely using dairy products and stored at frozen temperatures. The main ingredients are milk and sugar. They use species like cardamom, saffron, and nuts.
Brief Preparation of Kulfi: A Traditional Indian Ice Cream
The milk is stirred continuously on a medium or low flame, and it caramelizes and becomes creamy. Now add sugar and cardamom powder along with some dry-roasted nuts. This mixture is then poured into metal cones or small pots called ‘matka’ and stored at frozen temperatures.
Even today, our indian moms start preparing Kulfi Ice cream at home using Makhana, dry fruits, and milk. They also replaced sugar with Dates and Organic jaggery powder, which is good for health.
Do follow: 5 best Ice cream shops in Bangalore
History & Cultural Significance
During the Mughal era, Kulfi originated in Delhi in the 16th century. It is said to be influenced by the Persian frozen desserts. Initially, the caramelised milk with sugar and spices was served as a dessert in their food. Later, they started freezing the mixture by pouring it into metal cones and dropping them into ice, which turned into a sweet frozen dessert called Kulfi Ice cream.
Soon, it became popular in the neighbouring countries of India, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Srilanka, and the Middle East. Also, it is being transported from the Himalayan areas to the warmer regions of the Mughal Empire.
Homemade Kulfi Vs. Street Style Kulfi
Homemade Kulfis are mainly focused on its quality, using refined ingredients, whereas the street-style Kulfi preparation is based on its traditional way, by adding intense flavours.
Khoya( milk solids) is one of the main ingredients used by the street-style vendors to add more taste to Kulfi. Also, it makes Kulfi denser and richer in taste than the Homemade Kulfi. The frozen temperatures, the amount of time we spent on caramelising the milk, etc, everything we put in preparing Kulfi at home is way different from the street-style Kulfi.
Ingredients & Flavors of Kulfi
The Ingredients used in traditional indian Ice creams are Cardamom(elaichi), Saffron(kesar), and Pistachios. Cardamom gives more aroma when ground into a powder. Also, soak the saffron strands in milk before adding them to the Kulfi mixture. The flavours these two ingredients added to kulfi make it rich in taste. Also, the creamy texture melts into the mouth easily with the added taste of spices.
If you are a vegan, you can replace milk or Khoya with fat-filled coconut milk or almond milk. Also, there is no need to boil it; gently heat it instead. Even sugar can be replaced by a puree of soaked dates. However, there is no need to skip the spices, which add flavour to the Kulfi.
How Kulfi Is Made
The complete slow-cooking process of Kulfi is explained in detail:
Ingredients:
2 cups of milk
½ cup of Condensed milk (optional)
½ teaspoon cardamom powder
2 tablespoons of sugar( adjust the quantity while using condensed milk)
1 pinch of Saffron
Step 1: Take 2 cups of milk (along with khoya or condensed milk, or milk powder) into a vessel and boil it for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Then add ½ tablespoon of cardamom powder, a pinch of saffron, 2 tablespoons of sugar (adjust according to your taste), and boil further for 10 minutes.
Step 3: Switch off the flame and allow it to cool completely.
Step 4: Now, transfer the mixture into the moulds and keep in the freezer.
Step 5: Remove it from the freezer when it thickens. Serve Kulfi by spreading Pistachio powder over it.
Also Try: Mango Kulfi with condensed milk recipe
More suggestions:
- No need to add sugar if you are using sweetened milk or condensed milk.
- Sugar can be replaced by a puree of milk-soaked dates.
- As I have said earlier, there is an option to replace milk with almond or coconut milk.
- When you don’t have moulds, use paper cups covered with an aluminium sheet and insert an ice cream stick.
- Soaking saffron in milk and then adding it to the boiling mixture gives more flavour.
6. Kulfi vs. Ice Cream
Kulfi and Ice cream are two different things. Kulfi is not churned during preparation. It is denser than Ice cream because of the caramelised milk and the addition of Khoya or milk solids. This is the reason Kulfi didn’t melt faster than Ice cream. The natural ingredients added to Kulfi give a delightful taste and last for a long time.
Whereas the Ice cream mixture is churned to get a smooth and creamy texture. Also, it melts once kept out of the refrigerator. The exact taste varies based on the flavour we selected.
Popular Variations of Kulfi
Not only does Ice cream have different creations or flavours, but also Kulfi is upgraded with many flavours like Malai, Mango, Falooda-kulfi, Stick kulfi, Stuffed fruit kulfi, etc. Malai Kulfi is so creamy and delicious because of the milk solids added to it. At the same time, Falooda Kulfi is served with vermicelli or rice noodles. Kulfi is also served on a stick or in a small pot. Also, many fruit-flavoured or stuffed Kulfi are created and served.
Where to Find or How to Make It
In olden days, we had to wait for the Kulfiwala to come on the roads, then buy from him. But now, we have dedicated shops for Kulfi. Mumbai Kulfi in Bangalore is one of the best shops serving Kulfi. It is well known for its essence and flavour of our traditionally prepared cream. There are many other shops like Kulfi & more, Grameen Kulfi, Chennai Kulfi and so on.
Final Thoughts
We can have many kinds of Ice cream, but the Kulfi is the real gem because of its unique preparation, rich flavors, and long-standing cultural significance. Its slow cooking process of milk solids and the nutty flavour make it distinct from other kinds of Ice cream. If you like the content about Kulfi and its history, importance, and many other things, please share your ideas and suggestions in the comment section below.