Botanical name of Falsey / Phalsa is Grewia Asiatica, a tiny looking purple fruit which is available during peak summer months (May- June). This delicate fruit, Phalsa, is a native of India and other sub-continent. During summers in North when heat wave is at it's peak, Falsey's consumption gives cooling effect. In most homes Falsa is eaten raw with a sprinkle of black pepper and salt. I still remember during our way back from school to home, a street vendor would be there at a corner selling huge batch of Falsey placed on a small wet jute, to keep it cool and from drying. It came with a special kind of Chat Masala which was a must to have with Falsa. And within few hours the huge batch of Falsa would be sold out in no time. Falsey is sweet with a hint of tanginess and is so refreshing that it vanishes as soon as it hits the market during summer.
The health benefits are plenty ! Rich in Potassium, Calcium, Vitamin C, low on Sodium and many more health benefits. It is the nature of Falsey that it's shelf life is short so it can not be transported to other cities, hence only in Northern region the small time street vendors are often seen selling Phalsa. Sadly they are rarely sighted these days selling these beautiful purple gems. Lack of knowledge of conservation and it's benefits could also be another reason of it's disappearance.
If you are looking for similar summer juices then click on the below recipes:-
- Doi er Shorbot (Bengal Special)
- Mango Lassi
- Musk Melon Juice
- Refreshing Plum and Sweet Lime Juice
- Papaya Orange Juice
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup Falsey / Phalsa
1/4 cup Sugar
2 tsp Chat Masala powder or Black Salt
1/2 cup Chilled water + 1 cup for making sugar syrup
1/2 cup crushed Ice
Method:
Wash the fruit thoroughly in water and leave it for 15 minutes. Mix sugar and water to make sugar syrup. Boil water for 5 minutes and turn off the heat. Soak the cleaned falsa in sugar syrup and let it sit for 5 minutes. Add chilled water and pass it through a strainer, rub the pulp through the strainer to get rid of seeds. Pour into glasses over ice and serve them with mint leaves (optional). Generally the fruit seller give a special masala with it which is khatta-meetha. I love adding it to the juice as it brings out the best taste.
