The Untold story of Konkan’s Favorite Sip

Now, that you have chosen your preferred flavour of solkadhi, let us walk you through its heritage, significance and journey beyond the Konkan Coast of Maharashtra.

While drinking this pink beverage, the experience of the fresh cool breezy winds reminds you of the taste of coconut milk and the scorching summer heat that feels similar to the tanginess of kokum; this is nothing but the life of the coast in a glass.

And as you continue to savour every ounce of its flavour, the reason for ‘Kokum’ or ‘Garcinia indica’ to become an inherent part of konkan recipes was its easy availability and optimal cultivation in the tropics.

 As Indians have always been known for their resourcefulness, the locals found ways to incorporate kokum into various aspects of their lives.

 However, out of all the delicacies, Solkadhi stood out as the native’s favourite even today.

Although, there are several reasons why Solkadhi became extensively popular, its ability to cool down your stomach acids and bloating after a heavy meal stays a prominent one. While these experiences have made ‘Solkadhi’ a renowned summer coolant, its benefits have been associated with Ayurveda to balance and pacify body’s internal heat or Pitta Dosha.

Not just that, but it has been reported that ‘Solkadhi’ helps reducing cholesterol, liver problems and even stimulates metabolism through balanced gut function by relieving acidity, bloating and post-meal heaviness.

This is due to the composition of Solkadhi that is dominated by ‘Kokum’, that contains high antioxidant properties and vital nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and dietary fibers, making it a perfect refreshing drink.

All of these factors made Solkadhi a classic identity of the coasts of Maharashtra.

Gradually with time, what influenced its diversion towards the south, is something that resulted in its evolution, which further inspired ethnic variations along the belt of the Gomantak coastline (Goa) and Canara (Karnataka).

But how this beverage entered the southern regions of Western Ghats is an interesting story, worth finding out.

Originating from the Konkan region of Maharashtra, with time, Solkadhi travelled along with the native Konkani speakers towards Goa and the Canara Coast of Karnataka.

The emigration of people and their tradition wasn’t random or something that happened overnight, it resulted from the horrendous persecutions and invasions of the Portuguese.

While this story depicts the diaspora of the Konkani community, who while leaving their homes behind, the one thing that they carried along with them was their culture and heritage, out of which ‘Solkadhi’ remained a remarkable factor of familiarity.

As the community seamlessly blended themselves into the local culture, whilst also preserving its culinary tradition, this was beautifully reflected in the different variants of ‘Solkadhi’

That’s how the traditional ‘solkadhi’ travelled and also remained an integral part of these regions even today. Today, Exotic Treat’s patented Instant Solkadhi paste proudly carries this legacy spreading the eternal taste of Konkan to every corner of India.