Flavoured Ice Apple Dessert | Nungu Paal Recipe

Nungu Paal is a delicious, healthy dessert made by chilling boiled milk added with different flavors. Nungu Paal is a body coolant for the summer. I have shared different flavours like Rose, Nannari, Pista, Chocolate and Kesar Badam. The recipe has slightly jelly like texture from nungu, so every sip feel nice and cooling.

It tastes mildly sweet and delicious in taste, nungu absorbs flavors very well and blend easily mixes with the milk. This is a great alternate to packed juices and carbonated drinks which is full of sugar. You can make this often when we get fresh nungu in season, it keeps body cool and hydrated.

About Nungu Paal

Nungu Paal is a traditional South Indian summer cooler made using palm fruit which is also called ice apple. The palm fruit is peeled, chopped into small cubes and added to chilled milk. It is very popular in Tamil Nadu during summer months when street vendors sell fresh nungu. The fruit is naturally cooling and light for stomach.

The texture of this drink is very unique. Milk gives creamy base while nungu adds soft bite in between. When you chew the small pieces it feels juicy and refreshing. The drink is not very heavy but still filling enough for a light evening refreshment. This drink is mostly prepared during peak summer when heat is too much.

This can be a dessert or a drink. If you like to make it more rich add little condensed milk to milk and then use different flavors.

There are many flavor variations you can try. Rose syrup gives floral sweetness, nannari syrup adds earthy herbal taste, chocolate makes it kids friendly and pista gives nutty richness. You can even try mango, butterscotch or simple cardamom sugar version. Each flavor has different color and taste.

I usually make with different flavors so everyone can choose what they like. It looks colorful and nice when served together. Kids get excited seeing many colors in one tray.

Nungu Paal Ingredients

• Nungu / Palm fruit – This is the main ingredient for the drink. It gives that soft, jelly kind of texture and a very cooling feel. Fresh tender nungu always tastes better, so try to use that if you can get.
• Milk – I used boiled and cooled milk to make it creamy and smooth. It also balances the sweetness nicely. 
• Rose syrup – I just added for the rose flavor and that light pink shade. It gives a sweet floral taste which blends really well with nungu. Adjust little more or less as per your taste.
• Nannari syrup – This one gives a more traditional touch. It adds a slight earthy flavor and nice brown color too.
• Cocoa powder – I added a small amount for chocolate flavor. It gives slight bitterness which actually balance the sweetness. Use a good quality powder cocoa powder.
• Chocolate sauce – This is just for extra sweetness and richer chocolate taste. I add little on top sometimes. You can skip if you don’t like it too sweet.
• Sugar – In some flavors I added extra sugar. Totally optional, reduce or increase according to your preference.
• Pistachios – I chopped and used for crunch and nutty flavor. You can replace with badam or cashews also.
• Saffron – I crushed few strands and soaked in warm milk. It gives nice yellow color and mild royal flavor.
• Tutti frutti – I added this for little colorful look and sweetness. It is optional but kids like it.
• Badam – I chopped finely and added for richness. It gives slight bite and nutty taste, you can skip if not available.

Similar Recipes

How to make Nungu Paal Step by Step

1.Take milk in a sauce pan, boil then simmer for 5 minutes. Cool down completely or chill it for an hour.

2.First peel of the skin from nungu. I used 7 nungu in total for this. Chop it into cubes.

3.Strain milk to remove any malai formed. First take ¼ cup milk in a bowl

4.Add ¼ cup nungu, then add rose syrup mix well. Your rose nungu paal is ready.

5.In a separate bowl,Add ¼ cup nungu to ¼ cup milk. Then add nannari syrup to it and mix it. Your nannari nungu paal is ready. In a separate bowl, add ¼ cup nungu to ¼ cup milk. Then add coco powder.

6.Add chocolate syrup and mix it well with a spoon. Your chocolate nungu paal is ready. In a separate bowl, add ¼ cup nungu to ¼ cup milk. Add pista essence.

7.Add sugar and chopped pistachios, mix well. Your pista nungu paal is ready.

8.To 1 tablespoon of warm milk add crushed saffron, set aside for 5 minutes. In another bowl take ¼ cup milk, add saffron milk, tutti frutti and chopped badam.

9.Add sugar mix well. Chill them and serve.

Serve chilled!

Expert Tips

• Use fresh nungu – I usually buy tender and fresh palm fruit. If it is not fresh, texture becomes rubbery and not nice.
• Chilling – You can keep it in fridge for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Cold serving gives best refreshing taste.
• Adjust sweetness – I only add extra sugar if needed sometimes makes the drink  too sugary. Some syrups are already very sweet. 
• Strain milk – I just remove malai from milk before mixing. It gives smoother texture and clean look.
• Serve immediately – If kept too long after mixing, nungu may release water. So mix and chill shortly before serving.

Serving and Storage

Serve Nungu Paal chilled in small glass cups for best taste. This goes well as an evening drink during summer or after lunch as dessert. Store leftover in refrigerator and consume within one day. Since fresh fruit is added, it is better not to keep for long time. Stir once before serving again.

FAQS

1.Can I make Nungu Paal in advance?

You can prepare milk and keep it chilled. You can just add flavors just before serving for fresh taste.

2.Can I use packaged palm fruit?

Fresh nungu gives best texture and cooling feel. Packaged one can be used but taste may slightly differ.

3.Is it very sweet?

No, It depends on syrup and sugar added. You can always adjust as per your taste.

4.Can I skip milk?

Yes you can try with almond milk or other plant milk. Taste will change little but still good.

5.Can I try other flavors?

Yes you can try mango, butterscotch or simple cardamom sugar version. It is very flexible recipe and easy to adjust.

If you have any more questions about this Nungu Paal Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook,  Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter .

Tried this  Nungu Paal Recipe ? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

📖 Recipe Card