Gulkand- A sweet rose petals
What is Gulkand?
Gulkand believe to be originated in Persia . The word Gulkand is derived from Persian Word –Gulkand, where “Gul” means Rose flower and “Kand” means Sweet. It is a sweet preserve of Rose flower petal regarded as one of the best Ayurvedic medicine often consumed to reduce heat in the body to maintain good health. It is also known as Gulab Murabba or Rose petal Jam.
pic source-https://zeezest.com/food/what-is-gulkand-and-its-health-benefits-zee-zest-450
Local name of Gulkand:- Gulkand is commonly known by the same name across India.
- English:- Rose petal Jam
- Hindi: गुलकंद (Gulkand)
- Marathi: गुलकंद (Gulkand)
- Gujarati: ગુલકંદ (Gulkand)
- Tamil: ரோஜா பழம் (Roja Palam) or குல்கந்த் (Gulkand)
- Telugu: గుల్కంద్ (Gulkand)
- Bengali: গুলকন্দ (Gulkand)
- Kannada: ಗುಲ್ಕಂದ್ (Gulkand)
- Malayalam: ഗുല്കന്ദ് (Gulkand)
- Kashmiri:- Khambeer
How it is prepared:-
Gulkand is prepared with sun dried rose petal crushed with sugar or Honey in a motor & pestle to make it thick brownish paste similar to Jam consistency. In Kashmir it is locally known as “Khambeer”. It was introduced by Mughal Empire in India.
The Main ingredient for making Gulkand are:-
- Fresh Rose Petal (Damask Rose variety is one of the most favored rose petal for making it)
- Granulated sugar /Misri/Honey
- Flavoring ingredients:- Cardamom or Fennel seed.
Step 1:–Collect the fresh rose petal & clean it properly:-Fragrant Rose petal is considered the best choice for making the gulkand. One of the most common types of Rose for making the Gulkand is Damask or Damascus rose variety. After collecting the fresh rose petal, wash it in cold running water to remove all the dirt & dust.
Pic of damask rose
Pic source-https://nurserylive.com & wecomart.com
Step 2:- Mix Rose petal & Sugar:- Take equal quantity of Rose Petal & Sugar and put it in a glass jar in layers. Close the glass jar tightly with lid and keep it in sun light and allow to preserve. Add rose petal & sugar time to time in the jar whenever reduces during preservation process in the Jar.
pic source:-https://poonambachhav.blogspot.com/2018/05/homemade-gulkand-rose-petal-preserve.html
Step 3:- Allow to preserve in sunlight:- Add rose petal & sugar in the Jar whenever reduces during preservation process in the Jar & gently mix or shake it on every alternate day. During preservation process of rose petal with sugar , add flavoring ingredients like green cardamom powder/souf powder. If required saffron can also be added to impart good color & flavor. It will take around 3-4 weeks to get the sugar fully dissolved and soften the rose petel like Jam consistency.
- Once the sugar gets fully dissolved and the rose petals softened into a jam-like consistency, then your Gulkand is ready to use. Store it in airtight container for use.
pic source-https://zeezest.com/food/what-is-gulkand-and-its-health-benefits-zee-zest-450
Common types of Gulkand:- Depending upon the use of flavoring items in the gulkand preparation, there are common types of gulkand available in the market.
- Damask Rose Gulkand
- Desi Rose Gulkand
- Saffron Gulkand
- Cardamom Gulkand
- Honey Gulkand
- Pomegranate Gulkand
- Rosewater Gulkand
Culinary Use of Gulkand:-
(1) Gulkand can be use to make various Indian Mithai. Example are:-
- Gulkand stuffed Gulab Jamun
- Gulkand stuffed Kala Jamun
- Gulkand coconut ladoo
- Besan gulkand ladoo
- Coconut gulkand burfi
- Gulkand Malai peda
- Kesar gulkand peda
- Gulkand Rice kheer
- Gulkand sabudana kheer
- Gulkand coconut kheer
- Gulkand almond kheer
- Gulkand sandesh
- Gulkand Rasgoola
- Gulkand Modak
- Khoya & gulkand stuff gujia
- Gulkand Kulfi
- Gulkand milk cake
- Gulkand phirni
(2) It is one of the essential ingredient in Meetha Paan. Example are-
- Meetha paan
- Chocolate gulkand paan
- Gulkand badam paan
- Silver coated gulkand paan.
(3) Gulkand is also used in the preparation of several Beverage or drinks. Example are:-
- Gulkand infused water
- Gulkand tea
- Gulkand Lassi
- Gulkand Thandai
- Banana gulkand Milk Shakes
- Mango gulkand milk shake
- Gulkand almond milk shake
- Gulkand pistachio milk shake
- Chocolate gulkand milk shake
- Gulkand Lassi
- Gulkand Rose Milk
- Gulkand & Banana smoothie
- Mango gulkand smoothi
Health Benefit of Gulkand:-
{The nutritional value & health benefit of Quinoa has been compiled after referring various sites like healthline.com,webmd.com, aazol.com, Indian express, royal bee brother.com, medicalnewstoday.cometc.}
Gulkand is rich in minerals like Iron and Calcium & vitamins C & E. It has several health benefit. Some of the common health benefit are:-
- As a cooling agent:- Gulkand has a cooling effect on the body which helps in balancing our body heat & able to reduce heat related problems like heatstroke & dehydration.
- Antioxidant properties:– Gulkand is rice in Antioxidant which help to reduce stress & Anxiety.
- Enhance immunity:- If consumed regularly, it can boosts our immunity and increase our body resistance to fight against diseases.
Note:- Gulkand usually dont have any side effects. Since it contains good amount of sugar, it may be disadvantage for people having diabetes.
List of Popular brand of Gulkand in India
| Brand Name | Description | Price range | Picture |
| Vedico origins | Prepared using damask rose petal & raw sugar. | Rs 400-450 /- per bottle of 350gms |  |
Earthen Story | Sun cooked organic damask rose petal & Dhanga Mishri | Rs 450-500/-per bottle of 500gms |  |
| Two brother organic farm | Sun cooked organic chaitri gulab | Rs 600-700/- per bottle of 300gms |  |
Vanalaya Natural Organic Gulkand | Sun Cooked Damask Rose & Cardamon | Rs 350- 400/- per bottle of 300gms |  |
Baidyanath Gulkand | Gummy Enriched with Prawal Sun-cooked Indian Rose Petal Jam | Rs 220-250/- per 400gms per bottle |  |
FreshoCartz Himalyan Gulkand
| 100% Sun-Cooked Pure No Artificial Flavours
| Rs 180- 225/- per 400gms per bottle |  |
Kirva Organics
| Damask Rose Petals & Rock Sugar – Kesar Elaichi
| Rs 500 – 550/-per 500gms bottle |  |
Urban platter | Sun dried Chaitri rose gulkand | Rs 225- 250/- per 300gms bottle |  |
Foodery himanayan gulkand | Finest quality Gulkand, made from Chaitri Roses (Spring Roses). | Rs 200- 250/- per 400gms bottle |  |
Anveshan gulkand | Sun cooked damask rose petal Jam & Dhaagewali mishri from pushkar rajasthan | Rs 350-400/- per 300gms bottle |  |
Nature bliss gulkand | Finest quality Gulkand, made from Chaitri Roses (Spring Roses). | Rs 200- 220/- per 500gms bottle |  |
Content Reference:-
The prime moto while preparing the above content is to educate the students who are pursuing carrier in Hospitality & food trade, Hoteliers, chefs, Hotel Management faculty members, Housewife’s etc. The above content has been compiled after referring various culinary books, Research Papers, Research articles, Food magazines, news papers, top culinary websites, Govt websites, personal interaction with renowned chefs from various hotel brands like The Ashok Group of hotel, ITC, Oberai, Leela, Park Hotels & various IHM Faculties, Nutritionists etc. & many more. The picture which i have used has been taken from the open source website .Some of the important website referred for the above content are:-
- https://twobrothersindiashop.com/blogs/food-health/gulkand-benefits?srsltid=AfmBOop4K7CBTM4AhMK2N2P0UTQ_HAQylhtv3GvhNAd-cceuqxD-Yvvb
- https://amala.earth/blogs/amala-earth-blog/gulkand-benefits?srsltid=AfmBOori7cBalmKxDcseghTpUYrZ-k8JwpwCJyhh79Gg_uApscc1Qm9l
- https://www.santulan.in/product/general/gulkand/
- https://sharangdhar.com/blogs/what-is-gulkand?srsltid=AfmBOoo55Gyu2RhjatlsP8fLNYJx3WqrxcfD5xVIXAF4JNy7Kyj-cvby
- https://m.tarladalal.com/glossary-gulkand-flavoured-rose-petals-464i
- https://www.anveshan.farm/products/mishri-gulkand?srsltid=AfmBOor0tPQYHOuRL2pFhkySwMCuk1d-X9hoI5FNtOEcz0JRaXc2GIUJ
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/watch-how-gulkand-is-made-from-rose-petals-and-sugar/articleshow/102304719.cms?from=
- https://orchardlane.in/collections/gulkand?srsltid=AfmBOooDvoIVN-uDRBncs4fiRnwoT0uJHqI9ew6rxcodCFJMKHgelpMn
- https://www.vedobi.com/blogs/ayurveda-book/what-is-gulkand-and-its-benefits-en?srsltid=AfmBOoqg0ocn64czoAgv8tExp2E_BTvXg7HZmWMbEVygIe6M1zC-
- https://kapiva.in/daily-diet/kapiva-organic-gulkand-300gm?srsltid=AfmBOop2Lz-Ny8ehWImEH2eQ_uTrCtyN7lTli3iQr737yjbo9iBSSOvB
- https://shopkhadi.gandhigram.org/products/gulkand?srsltid=AfmBOorMsmebCwOaqgWrKTODXgApNMWT7_5vHPV4XbQyBVvhcr7lE0wE
- https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/gulkand-nutrition-health-benefits-uses-recipe-and-side-effects-of-this-rose-delight?srsltid=AfmBOoqpeYMJVW
- https://satvikveda.in/gulkand-benefits-and-uses/
- https://www.thedivinefoods.com/blogs/news/spend-a-cooler-summer-with-gulkand?srsltid=AfmBOor2YfPVGGwh7JcPwjl4Nbu6hL-9XVFNPXAqVSxg6j2G8fQyJ
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/holi2024-desi-gulkand-gets-a-modern-makeover/articleshow/108591279.cms
- https://www.kviconline.gov.in/pmegp/pmegpweb/docs/commonprojectprofile/gulkand.pdf
- https://www.justgotochef.com/ingredients/gulkand
- https://www.paancorner.com/post/gulkand-a-sweet-and-fragrant-delight-with-health-benefits
- https://masalamonk.com/what-is-gulkand-how-it-is-used-and-what-are-its-benefits/
