Falooda or Faluda (Urdu: فالودہ) is a cold and sweet beverage with many ingredients very popular in South Asia. Traditionally it is made by mixing rose syrup with vermicelli, psyllium (ispaghol) or basil (sabza/takmaria) seeds, jelly pieces and tapioca pearls along with either milk, water or ice cream.[1]
Falooda is an adaptation of the non-liquid Persian dessert Faloodeh, made in Iran and Afghanistan, from which it adopted the name. This drink may have been brought to the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal period. The vermicelli used are often made from arrowroot rather than wheat. The rose syrup may be substituted with another flavoured base to produce kesar (saffron), mango, chocolate or fig flavor.
Nowadays falooda is a popular summer drink throughout Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and the Middle East and is readily available in restaurants and beach stalls.
[edit] Metaphorical references
In the idiomatic speech of India and Pakistan, falooda is sometimes used as a reference to something that has been shredded, which is an allusion to the vermicelli noodles. For example, someone who falls into disrepute might say that his or her izzat (honor) has been turned to falooda (इज़्ज़त का फ़ालूदा, عزت کا فالودہ, izzat ka falooda), which is roughly equivalent to saying "my reputation is shot."[2]
[edit] Variants
- In Bangladesh, a common variant of Faluda in the south coast of the country is made with Ketaki (pandan) extract, pistachios, Shagu pearls, creamed coconut and mango as well as milk, vermicelli and may even include strong black tea to make quite a distinct flavour.
- Faluda is very similar to the Thai drink nam manglak, which is made from different gelatinous ingredients mixed with sugar, water, and rose water.
- The Iraqi Kurds also have their own version; but made with thicker vermicelli. A similar modern East Asian drink is bubble tea.
- A famous type of Falooda, named the "Andrea", involves mixing various rose syrups with creamy milk and premature tapioca pearls.
- Rabdi falooda[3]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
