Chilled Cashew Apple Fruit (Kaju) Juice.

"Chilled Cashew Apple Fruit (Kaju) Juice" ... cashew apple is a fruit loved not by many; yes, you read it right, this fleshy fruit above the cashew nut with shell that is usually available in bright red, orange or red colour brings childhood memories but not that of a pleasant one for many … though elders advised us to eat the fleshy fruit sprinkled with a dash of salt it was still throat itching most of the times … as if that was not enough the fruit did have an intense smell that was unpleasant to many of us and it was a NO-NO in my parental home … I tasted juice prepared using the fleshy fruits for the first time in a friend’s home and loved it; rest is history; do try this juice and sip it chilled to beat the summer heat ... Yummilicious ....

** For decades now I have bought this summer fruit to prepare juice and though I have tried out plenty of dishes which all tasted good, juice is the best out of them all. There are several health benefits which I will not run into as they are easily available on net, so do browse through and you will be surprised to read them. 

** Cashew Apple fruits with nuts are available in abundance in southern part of India. The konkan region is very famous for Cashew Nuts and I am sure every Indian has heard of them as we all enjoy munching on those taste nuts, not to mention addition of the same to innumerable dishes. Goa in general is famous for cashew apples fruit in different forms be it in dishes, as nuts or drinks prepared out of them.

** Consumption of Cashew Apple fruit has its own health benefits like a healthier heart, stronger nerves, It improves bone and oral health. It consists of antioxidant also, again I will not run into them as they are all available on net. The juice however has a bit of gummy texture which may not be liked by many people, so do prepare it thinner textured. People have to adapt to its taste and is individuals choice.

** I have tried plenty of recipes using Cashew Apple Fruit/ Kaju like muddo (dumplings), sasam (curry), surnoli (spongy dosa), godi Idly (sweet idly), gojju (chutney), popsicle (ice candy), panna (coolant), payasam (sweet dessert) etc. and sure to try more which I will be sharing as and when I prepare. Do try out this delicious juice and enjoy them this summer in your home if these fruits are available in your vicinity. 

** Here is my recipe for "Chilled Cashew Apple Fruit (Kaju) Juice" .... my style ...

** Wash and wipe 2-3 large sized Ripe Cashew Apple Fruits. Soak them in bowl of water to which a teaspoon of salt has been added, this cures the fruit from stickiness. Slice off both side edge portion and then cut them into pieces.

** Note : Cashew Apple Fruit/ Kaju fruit is available in yellow, red, orange tinged colours, you can use any, though orange ones give good tinge.

** Add the cashew fruit pieces in a mixer grinder/ blender with 1-2 cups of water and grind to a very fine paste, mixing in between a few times. Add another cup of water and further blend well for a few minutes. 

** Remove and sieve the ground paste through a fine mesh sieve into a large sized vessel. Add the strained residue back into the mixer grinder along with 1-2 tsp of dry ginger powder (shunti pitti), 1-2 tsp white pepper powder (miri), 1 cup of water (approx) and blend all together well.  Remove and strain the same into the same vessel. Add about 1.5 to 2 cups of water to this mixture and mix well until the sugar has blended in well and its done.  

** Note : You can increase/ decrease Sugar as per individual taste. The amount added here is enough for about 2.5 liters of prepared juice. Again, you can keep it less sweeter and serve more sugar later as per one's liking too. 

** You can either store the sieve juice in fridge as it is and add chilled water while serving or add about 1 to 1.5 liters of water, mix well and store the same too (as is your preference). Do remember to serve the juice thin textured and chilled.

** "Chilled Cashew Apple Fruit (Kaju) Juice" is done and ready to be served. Remember to always serve this juice chilled and thin textured for best of taste. This juice is slightly different in taste and one needs to develop a taste as it has a strong flavour which may not be loved by many, however keeping in mind its health benefits, do try it out in your home and serve it atleast a few times during summer month so that taste to it is developed and children will slowly begin to love it too. 

** There are plenty of "coolants/ drinks/ beverages" recipes added in the Blog, please browse through, prepare and enjoy them with your family.