The dried root and root-bark of Indian sarsaparilla, a slender climbing plant. Simmered into a dark, fragrant syrup with a sweet-earthy, vanilla-like aroma, it is one of South India's most popular natural coolants.
Where it comes from
Native to the Indian subcontinent; a traditional coolant across South India.
In the kitchen
Boiled into a sweet aromatic syrup for cooling summer drinks such as jigarthanda and sarbath.