Dahashamani is an Ayurvedic herbal brew famous in the southwestern state of Kerala, in India.
Dahashamani is brewed kind of like tea, small amounts of powder are boiled in hot water for about 10 minutes, strained, cooled and had at any time of day or night. The cool, earthy flavor requires no additions, such as sugar, though I suppose some may add sugar as per their taste.
In Kerala I never felt uncomfortable drinking water in people's homes (or even in hotels/restaurants) as it seemed that everyone drinks Dahashamani or some variant of herbal water. The good thing about these waters is unlike 'plain water' it has been boiled, and therefore, safe to drink.
In these Dahashamani Diaries, I will report on different brands of Dahashamani that I have collected from Kerala, bought to U.S. and have been drinking here on a regular basis. Often I like to drink it while it is cooling, so it is lukewarm, drinking cold is usually what is done, though, I believe. Until date, I have not found this in U.S. If you have, please let me know! In India these packets are about 25 grams (.88 oz) and cost anywhere from Rs. 5 (about 15 cents) to Rs. 10 (about 25- 30 cents). Though it seems that for a price like this, the quantity may not last a long time, if you use a pinch of powder for each 2 litres boiled (contradictory to some package directions) you get a good taste and the powder lasts for a very long time.
Thank you to my father in law who has transliterated the Malayalam (as the packages read only in the Malayalam script) that you are about to read.
In today's diary, I introduce you to t
he Yess Yess brand of Dahashamani.
Santhitheertham Dahashamani
The package claims no specific claims
Directions instruct: Add 1 teaspoonful of the powder to 2 litres boiling water. Boil again, strain and use after cooling.
** When I have followed this instruction it comes out too strong, so I add just a pinch.
Santhitheertham Contact: Yess Yess Products, Ernakulam 683522 Kerala
Price: Rs 5 (about 15 cents)
** I find it interesting that under the Malayalam ‘Santhitheertham Dahashamani’ title, it says in English “Improved Dry Ginger Powder”. I doubt that is a translation for Dahashamani, additionally, though Ginger comes in this mix, it comprises only 2% of the ingredients! This means that it should not be substituted for ginger powder in cooking and you’d have to have very sensitive taste buds to find the ginger taste in there.
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Malayalam
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English
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Botanical Name
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Karingali (60%)
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Acacia catechu
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Catechu, Cachou and Black Cutch
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Jneringil (12%)
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?
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?
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Mysore Chandanam (8%)
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Santalum album
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Sandalwood
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Naruneendi (6%)
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Hemidesmus indicus
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Indian Sarsaparilla
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Ramcham (5%)
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Vetiveria zizanioides
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Vetiver
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Chukku (2%)
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Zingiber officinale
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Dry Ginger
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Elakka (2%)
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Elettaria cardamomum
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Cardamom
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Malli (2%)
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Coriandrum sativam
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Coriander
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Muthanga (1%)
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Cyprus rotundus
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Nut Grass
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? – If you know this, please e-mail me at jennifer at alaivani dot com. Thank you.
Note: Some websites have spelled Dahashamani as Dahashamini. Actually if you transliterate the Malayalam, this is incorrect, though when spoken it sounds more like the ‘I’ than ‘A’ sound there.
Note: Dahashamani is more commonly known as "karangalli velam" and "chukku velam" (chukku is ginger and velam is water).
Thank you for reading. Updated August 2009.
Related Posts/Sites: Herb of the Month Archives