Ayurvedic Gulkand: ‘Sun Kissed Rose Treat’ to Reduce Summer Heat (Pitta)

We love summer! Summer is the element of fire and throughout summertime this can aggravate our body heat.
Gulkand (Sun kissed rose jam), is an ancient Ayurvedic medicine, which is also a delicious treat. Traditionally it uses only 2 ingredients and it is made through a slow process of being cooked by the sun. It does not compare to your ‘normal rose jam’.

It is cooling, calming, and reduces excess Pitta. During summer enjoy 1-2 teaspoons every day to stay cool.
You can use it on your toast, in your smoothies, mixed into yogurt or warm milk or plant based nut milks. I love eating it straight out of the jar. So heavenly aromatic!

Gulkand offers a plethora of amazing benefits:

1. Digestive tonic: reduces acidity and bloating. Mix a teaspoon in a bit of water and drink this after your meal.

2. Gives you energy.

3. A healthy alternative when you are having a ‘Sweet tooth’.

4. If you enjoy it with milk or plant based milk at night it promotes good sleep and sweet dreams.

5. Gives clear and glowing skin, since it purifiers the blood.

6. Rejuvenates and uplifts, as it is an adaptogen.

7. Love Potion: Roses are connected to love and romance. Gulkand will sooth and uplift your heart.

8. Cools the body, excess Pitta, and helps with heat related symptoms such as migraines, skin rashes and sun strokes.

I love making Gulkand. I pick organic pink fresh roses from my garden early in the morning. DO NOT use store bought roses since they are loaded with chemicals.
I am providing you with two recipes, the first one is traditional which uses fresh rose petals and the second one if you have only dried rose petals available. Best roses are Damascus Roses or any other organic pink or red roses.

Gulkand with fresh rose petals

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh rose petals
About 3-4 tablespoons sugar (turbinado/coconut/palm sugar)

Instructions:

1. Wash the fresh rose petals gently with water and let them dry on a paper towel.

2. Chop the petals into small pieces.

3. Put a thin layer into a glass jar.

4. Spread a layer of sugar over the rose petals evenly.

5. Then again spread a layer of petals over the sugar layer.

6. Repeat

7. Close the jar with a lid and put it outside in direct sunlight for 7-14 days till it reaches a deep reddish brown color.

8. Stir the mix every day with a clean spoon.

9. Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. It will keep for
   up to year

Gulkand with dried rose petals

Ingredients:

2 cups dried rose petals (Rosa damascena)
4 tablespoons of dried rose petals
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
4 tablespoons turbinado/coconut/palm sugar
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 cup raw, liquid honey

Instructions:

1. Bring the water, lime juice and turbinado sugar to a boil and keep simmering till the sugar dissolves.

2. Put 2 cups dried rose petals in a blender, and blend till they become a coarse powder.

3. Put the coarse rose powder, cardamom and the 2 tablespoons of rose petals in the pot with the water mix and stir for 5-8 min over low/medium heat. It will be a thick mix.

4. Let the mix cool down and mix in 1 cup of honey. Fill in a glass jar and cover the jar with an air tight lid and place it in sunlight for 7-10 days.