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ESSENCE
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Description:
An essence is a concentrated aromatic liquid used either to enhance the flavour of certain culinary preparations or to flavour certain foods that have little or no flavour of their own. Essences have been a part of Indian cookery since antiquity. Even today, they are used at festive functions, in ritual worshop and at traditional weddings.
How to select:
When choosing essence check the Color: Clear is pure.
Use:
To flavour custards, sweet sauces, cold sweets, puddings, cream, ice cream, cakes and cake fillings. In some dishes it is used in addition to another flavouring.
How to store:
Description:
An essence is a concentrated aromatic liquid used either to enhance the flavour of certain culinary preparations or to flavour certain foods that have little or no flavour of their own. Essences have been a part of Indian cookery since antiquity. Even today, they are used at festive functions, in ritual worship and at traditional weddings.
How to select:
When choosing essence check the Colour: Clear is pure.
Use:
To flavour custards, sweet sauces, cold sweets, puddings, cream, ice cream, cakes and cake fillings. In some dishes it is used in addition to another flavouring.
How to store:
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
Essence are of two kinds :
1. Plant Extracts or Natural Essences
These are obtained by extracting the essential oil of a fruit or a spice (lemon, bitter almond, orange, cinnamon etc.) or flowers.
Some of the more popular floral essences are :
Rose Water / Essence
Rose essence is extracted from cultivated, dark pink and red roses. The best blooms of flowers are selected and the essence is distilled. This is mixed with water to make rose water. Rose water is colourless and has no particular taste.
Rose essence is used to flavour many milk sweets like rasgulla, gulab jamun etc. Rose water or essence is also used in syrups to make refreshing drinks or sherbets.
Kewra Water / Essence
Kewra essence is the extract from the kewra or screw pine flower. The best blooms are selected and the essence is distilled. Like rose water, kewra essence is diluted in water to make kewra water.
Kewra essence is yellow or transparent. It adds a hint of colour and fragrance to some pulaos and sweets.
Khus Water
Khus essence is the extract of khus, which is a highly fragrant grass. Khus essence is deep green in colour, powerful smelling and must be used very sparingly. Khus essence is used in making refreshing drinks. A few drops mixed with sugar, lemon juice and cold water makes an unusual fragrant summer cooler or appetiser.
Sandalwood extract is also used in the kitchen.
2. Commercial Essences or Artificial Flavourings -
Essences sold commercially contain artificial flavourings and colourings e.g. lemon, vanilla, orange, pineapple, strawberry etc.
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