 Green mukhwas, mainly fennel seed | |
| Place of origin | India and other South Asian countries |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | seeds and nuts, essential oils (peppermint) |
Mukhwas is a colorful South Asian after-meal snack used as a breath freshener. As per Agamas, mukhwas forms one of the components of sixteen upcharas (offerings) to a deity in a Puja, the Hindu mode of worship or prayer. It consists of various seeds and nuts, often fennel, anise, coconut, coriander, and sesame. They can be savory or sweet in flavor and are often aromatic due to the addition of various essential oils, including peppermint. Mukhwas are often coated in sugar and brightly colored.
History and etymology
The word "mukhwas" is an amalgamation of the Sanskrit words mukha (mouth) and vāsa (to stay/to keep). Mukhwas forms an essential part of the Hindu tradition of Shodash Shringar (sixteen embellishments, as mentioned by the Hindu poet Keshavdas. Ancient Sanskrit literature and Medieval Hindu literature in Hindi, Rajasthani, and Gujarati contain references to mukhwas.
See also
References
- Patel, Ramesh (1997). The Mandeer Ayurvedic Cookbook. Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-7007-0686-0.
- "Why are candy-coated fennel seeds served at Indian restaurants?". The A.V. Club. 5 March 2018.
- ^ www.wisdomlib.org (31 May 2018). "Mukhavasa, Mukhavāsa, Mukha-vasa: 7 definitions". wisdomlib.org. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- Pursell, JJ (2015). The Herbal Apothecary: 100 Medicinal Herbs and How to Use Them. Portland: Timber Press. p. 36. ISBN 9781604696622. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
- Dasa, Syamasundara (1965–1975). "Hindi sabdasagara". dsal.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- "राजस्थानी सबदकोश". rajsabadkosh.org. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
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