Falooda (also Faluda, Faloodah), is a cold dessert popular in the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally it is made from mixing rose syrup, vermicelli, sweet basil (sabza/takmaria) seeds and pieces of jelly with milk, often topped off with a scoop of ice cream. The vermicelli used for preparing falooda is made from wheat, arrowroot, cornstarch, or sago.
 Falooda with kulfi, rose syrup, and basil seeds | |
| Course | Beverage |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Indian Subcontinent |
| Main ingredients | Milk, rose syrup, vermicelli, sweet basil |
 Cookbook: Falooda  Media: Falooda | |
Falooda is not just a drink but a meal in itself. The ingredients like soaked Subja Seeds have a cooling effect on the body. The choice of ice cream and jelly used to combine into the perfect blend decide the final taste. Top the dessert with nuts and jelly to give it the final finish.
Contents
History
The origins of falooda go back to Persia, where a similar dessert faloodeh was popular. The dessert came to India with the many Muslim merchants and dynasties that settled in India in the 16th to 18th century.[7] The present form of falooda was developed by the Mughal empire and spread with its many conquests. Muslim rulers who succeeded from the Mughals patronized the dessert with their own adaptations, specifically in Hyderabad Deccan and the Carnatic areas of present-day India.[1] This dessert is now a major part of Pakistani culture, specially served on Islamic holidays and other occasions.
Metaphorical references
In idiomatic Hindustani, 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 (honour) has been turned to falooda (??????? ?? ??????, ??? ?? ??????, izzat ka falooda), which is roughly equivalent to saying "my reputation is shot."[8]
Variants
Today there are many versions of falooda. Some are made without noodles and blended with fruit. One of the Indian versions consists of kulfi, translucent wheat-starch noodles, and flavoured syrup.[citation needed]
- In Bangladesh, a common variant of Falooda in the south coast of the country is made with Ketaki (pandan) extract, pistachios, sago pearls, creamed coconut and mango as well as milk and vermicelli, and may even include strong black tea to make quite a distinct flavour.
- Malaysia and Singapore have a similar drink called bandung.
- Falooda is very similar to the Thai drink nam manglak, which is made from different ingredients, such as shredded jelly, tapioca pearls, and Job's Tears 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, called "Andrea", involves mixing various rose syrups with creamy milk and premature tapioca pearls.
- Rabri faluda[9]
- The Mauritian version is called alouda, which is a variation of the word falooda, and the beverage is almost identical in ingredients and flavour.
- South Africa also has a variant known by the same name,[10] and is often served as a milkshake to be consumed with or after a meal. There was a famous restaurant in Durban called Moola's who made it and called it Bombay Crush.
See also
- Faloodeh
- Pistachio ice cream
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