Paan Gulkand, the jam-like sweet, is a love story played into our culinary history. Derived from the words “Gul” and “Kand”, literally meaning flower and sweet, it’s a sweet preparation made of crushed rose petals. Along with the refreshing flavor and aroma, it carries elemental qualities often touted as medicinal.
However, most of us know of this sugar-laden treat to only accompany our paan indulgence. Yet, over the decades, it has become one of the best after-meal treats. To understand the reasons behind it, gulkand deserves an in-depth look. Let’s explore it together.
Gulkand is well-known as the special ingredient in almost every well-crafted paan preparation. One may find this popular paan mouth freshener in the paan stores, kept in special containers with immense care. This treat is just as specially crafted, as they are stored, made with ingredients that have evolved over the ages.
Ages is right, as this story is steeped in heritage, going as far as a couple of millennia. First recorded around 900 BC, this delight found its way to Ayurvedic prescriptions as a remedy. As ingredients, roses have a deep history within Ayurvedic medicinal practices. Then it’s no wonder this timeless symbol of love found its way through Gulkand as a summer savior.
Today, gulkand is easily spotted at paan stores for its quality as a paan mouth freshener. However, traditionally, gulkand held a higher position, considering its association with regal recipes. Also, the costs that went into its creation set in stone people’s perception of this delight as a sign of affluence. Although, today it’s widely available, the popularity behind it has not ebbed. Perhaps, this craving for a royal delight makes this sweet a favorite?
Gulkand has found its way into numerous recipes across different regions of India. And, every recipe tells a unique story. In some parts, this sweet is strongly associated with paan preparations. In other regions, it finds itself mixed with butter to create a flavorsome delight. If this proves anything, it is the undeniable popularity that gulkand has.
The quintessential paan mouth freshener was consumed to stay protected against ailments such as sunstrokes and acidity. And this one was centuries ago. Over the centuries it has been attributed as a cure for several other ailments – usually held up as a protector against indigestion. There are many such stories across the sub-continent. But, the actual question is – are the tales tall or true? Let’s see for ourselves.
Gulkand is incredibly low in calories. It does carry a whole lot of other elements though – packed with essential nutrients. Calcium, magnesium, and iron make up for this treat. Additionally, it also contains vitamins A, C, E, and B6. If that wasn’t enough, gulkand is also a great source of dietary fiber that aids with digestion. The nutrient-rich combination makes it a healthy & balanced treat.
Have you ever felt the soothing effect gulkand has on you? It’s not your imagination. After all, gulkand is prepared with ingredients that have a cooling effect on your body. It can reduce body heat and help reduce your stress as well. Furthermore, rose gulkand also helps reduce the heat of sunstroke and stops nosebleeds. That’s overall natural cooling. Isn’t that amazing?
The rose petal extracts also bring in some love. They help relieve the symptoms of acid reflux, which helps reduce the chances of heartburn. Besides, the rose petal extracts also help reduce the presence of harmful bacteria in the digestive system. Also, the sugar in the treat protects the stomach lining from the effects of acid. That’s a sweet post-meal conclusion, that’s for sure.
Did you know that rose gulkand also keeps bad cholesterol at bay? This has the additional effect of keeping your heart healthy. And in turn, it keeps you healthy. So, you may keep coming back to enjoy this delight.
Gulkand soothes more than our body. It also helps reduce stress levels with its inherent sweetness. And, that is also why you sleep better after indulging in some gulkand.
The journey of Paan Gulkand through time is certainly fascinating. It’s also not surprising to explore the factors that have contributed to its popularity as an after-meal treat. The delight has surely made its mark, from records of its use as a remedy, to playing a role in culinary delights. Whatever its part, the sweet treat has remained popular for centuries, and there’s no reason for it to change. It’s refreshing, healthy, and a delightful treat. And, we hope you enjoy it as much as the rest of us do.