Mint Jaljeera Granita

Mint Jaljeera Granita

Ice cream may be the ideal summer dessert, but there are enough other fantastic frozen treats out there to fill a whole fleet of ice cream trucks, from gelato to ice pops to homemade Dole Whip. Some of the easiest to make oneself, though, are ‘Sorbet‘ and ‘Granita‘, which require no special equipment, happen to be pretty healthy, and are also perfect for showcasing summer fruit.

So if making frozen treats is on your summer bucket list and you have had a long list of excuses like no time, no ice cream maker, or no Popsicle molds, etc. then these two are super simple options.

well, What is Granita?

Granita is an Italian frozen dessert very similar to sorbet, except that it is made by hand instead of in a machine. Because of this, the texture of granita is coarser and flakier like eating snow ! It is briefly crunchy at the first spoonful and then melts deliciously in your mouth.

The exact recipe for the granita base can vary depending on how ripe the fruit is, how sweet or sour it is, and how much liquid it holds.

One can make granita in a whole range of flavors from coffee to traditional Italian lemon, but during the summer we can go for whatever fruit is in season. Even just pick anything like peach, watermelon, mango, strawberry, blackberry; all look as well as taste the best!

Don’t be confused between Granita and Sorbet !

It is all in the texture! Sorbet is fairly smooth and soft, whereas granita is crunchy, more like shaved ice.

They are both dairy-free and low in fat. Either one can go savory (although savory granita is more common than savory sorbet) but is most often served as sweet desserts.

While one can use an ice cream maker to get extra-smooth sorbet, there is technically no need in the case of granita; it only requires a pan (preferably a shallow kind) and a fork.

In the manual technique, for a no-churn sorbet, one has to just smush and stir it fairly often while it is freezing, in order to encourage a smoother texture. With granita, one simply scrape the ice crystals up with a fork during the freezing process. This two method results into a coarser yet lighter texture in granita and denser, plusher form in sorbet.

Mint Jaljeera Granita !

Jaljeera is a healthy, refreshing drink and quite popular throughout India. This drink not only helps with our digestion problems, but it also improves our appetite. In Hindi, Jal means water, and jeera means cumin. The mixture of these with other spices and herbs makes the drink much more appealing.

I loved the flavor and tanginess of the drink and is perfect for summers. It tastes slightly tangy and has a strong flavor from all the spices and spice powders used.

Well, here I have come up with a granita using this refreshing drink, jaljeera.

Jump to Recipe

Can one make granita ahead or Can one freeze leftover granita?

Yes, one can surely!

Keep the mint jaljeera granita (either made ahead or the leftovers) in the freezer covered. When just ready to eat, let it sit on the counter for a few minutes until it softens slightly, and then one can scrape it again and break the icy chunks. Place it back in the freezer for about 15-30 minutes before serving and voila !!! It is ready to go!

Let’s go through how to make “Mint Jaljeera Granita” at home 👇


And, yes !!!

If you like the recipe shared here and give it a try at your place then do share in INSTAGRAM by tagging #firsttimercook. I would be so happy to see and surely share in my INSTA stories 😊😊

: Recipe Card :

Mint Jaljeera Granita

Sasmita
A slightly tangy and crunchy dessert prepared by the popular and refreshing drink, Jaljeera
Easy and simple to make during summer.
5 from 14 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Freezing Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Italian

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup Mint Leaf
  • ¼ cup Lemon juice
  • ½ tbsp Sugar
  • 1.5 tsp Amchur powder
  • 1 tbsp Cumin seed (roasted)
  • 2 tsp Black salt
  • Salt as needed
  • 3 cup Water
  • Cumin powder (roasted) for sprinkling

Instructions
 

  • In a blender jar first, take all the ingredients except water and cumin seed powder.
  • Make a fine paste, if needed add little amount of water.
  • Strain the paste into a bowl.
  • Pour water and give a nice stir.
  • Now transfer this mixture into a shallow container (freezer-friendly) and keep in the freezer for about 30 minutes or until mixture starts to be icy on the edges.
  • Using a fork, scrape ice crystals from the edges, stir the mixture and break all the icy chunks. Return to the freezer.
  • Repeat every half hour for about 3-4 hours.
  • Granita is ready when it is no longer liquid and looks like a big pile of crystals.
  • Just spoon into serving glasses or bowl, sprinkle some roasted cumin powder if you'd like and serve immediately !

Notes

I have used only mint leaves. Some coriander leaves can be used in a 1:1 ratio.
Keyword Amchur powder, Gluten free, Granita, Lemon Juice, mint, No cook recipes, Roasted Cumin Powder, Summer Dessert, vegan

16 Comments

  1. Preeti Shridhar

    Lemon Granita is a wonderful summer treat. The tang from amchur must have added to the flavor profile.

  2. Mayuri Patel

    5 stars
    Mint Jaljeera Granita, such a wonderful idea Sasmita. It definitely would make a welcome cooling and slightly sweetish treat after a heavy meal. Will have to try out this recipe as I’m a big Jaljeera fan.

  3. Renu

    5 stars
    mmm…love the delicious flavours with mint and jaljeera. It looks very refreshing and a perfect summer treat.

  4. Swati

    5 stars
    Loved your way of enjoying summer favourite drink Jal jeera.. can image the burst of flavors from mint, amchur, roasted cumin powder… just yummm.. wll surely give it a try..

  5. The Girl Next Door

    5 stars
    Yummm! This looks and sounds absolutely delicious and refreshing. I love savoury notes in my frozen desserts, and I’m sure I would enjoy this one. With lemon, mint, black salt and roasted cumin, I can imagine what a burst of flavours this Granita would be. 🙂

  6. NARMADHA

    5 stars
    Mint jaljeera granita looks so refreshing and flavorful with amchur powder and black salt. Perfect to enjoy during the summer season.

  7. Pavani Gunikuntla

    5 stars
    Wow! love the flavours of mint and jalijeera and it looks so refreshing and perfect treat for this summer.

  8. Poonam Bachhav

    5 stars
    Making granita with jaljeera and mint sounds brilliant Sasmita ! Can imagine how flavorful it must have been.

  9. Preethicuisine

    5 stars
    Mint Jal Jeera granita sounds incredible. Love the desi flavours used here.Verry innovative recipe sasmita.

  10. Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth
    Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth

    5 stars
    I am so in love with this idea! Jaljeera into granita is a such a brilliant way of enjoying this comforting drink… Fantastic clicks too…

  11. Priya Vj

    5 stars
    Jaljeera is a super refreshing drink for summer and jaljeera granita is a treat 👌 😋 to the parched throats in summer

  12. Vasusvegkitchen

    5 stars
    Mint jaljeera granita looks very amazing, each ingredient used has its own aroma and taste, which made this granita super yumm.

  13. Seema Sriram

    5 stars
    Wow, such cleansing flavours with this jaljeera granita. I love the way it looks in the images as well, So beautiful.

  14. Anu Kollon

    This granita looks so delicious and refreshing during hot summer days. This is a very unique recipe.

  15. Archana

    5 stars
    Awesome combo of jal jeera and mint. Absolutely love your presentation and the granita. Great guilt free dessert.

  16. Jayashree T.Rao

    5 stars
    Lovely and refreshing mint jal jeera granita. This is something different and would like to try it soon.

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Jayashree T.Rao

Sasmita

Hey there !

Myself Sasmita, a techie turns to a food blogger which is reflected in this space.

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