Thandai Powder is a versatile spice mix used to make thandai instantly. If you want to make thandai but don’t have the time to soak and grind then this instant thandai powder comes handy. Learn to make Thandai Powder with step by step pictures and video.
Thandai Powder is quick to make with the flavors of cardamom, pepper, saffron and fennel seeds. It is prepared with aromatic spices which makes the drink more flavorful and tasty. Do try and enjoy making thandai in 5 minutes using this homemade instant thandai powder.
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About Thandai Powder
Thandai powder is great to flavor milk or even in your desserts. Thandai is one of the drinks made for Holi festival. This is one of the healthy flavoring you can opt for kids. I am sure they will love it.
Traditionally thandai is made by soaking nuts, spices and grinding them which is a bit time consuming. Thandai can be made in just few minutes if you have this homemade thandai powder. Once you have the thandai mix ready just mix it with chilled milk and your thandai is ready.
Homemade Thandai Powder vs Store bought Thandai Powder
Homemade thandai powder is free from artificial colors, flavoring and preservatives. Also you know exactly what ingredients goes in the making so homemade is more healthier. You can make in small or big batches as and when required.
Store bought thandai powder is loaded with preservatives which is not a good option if you are looking for a healthy thandai mix.
Thandai Powder Video
Thandai Powder Ingredients
- Nuts – Cashews, Almonds, Pistachios and Melon seeds are used for making thandai powder.
- Spices – Spices are the main ingredients that gives great flavor to thandai powder. Spices like cardamom, fennel seeds, saffron, black pepper are used to make thandai powder.
- Sweetener – I have used white sugar here which is most commonly used to make thandai and thandai mix. But alternatively you can use jaggery powder or cane sugar or brown sugar too etc.
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How to make Thandai Powder Step by Step
1.To a mixer jar first add 1/8 cup fennel seeds, 5 cardamom, 10 pepper corns and half of 1/4 cup sugar.
2.Grind it to a fine powder then add to a sieve.
3.Sieve it well. Discard the remains or add it to tea powder mix for making masala chai.
4.Sieved mixture is ready, Set aside for later use.
5.Now to the same mixer jar, add 1/4 cup almonds, 1/8 cup cashews, 1/8 cup pistachios, 1/8 cup melon seeds, remaining sugar and 10 strands saffron. Nuts are there hence be careful while grinding as it might let out oil easily.
6.Grind it as fine as possible. Do not grind more otherwise it might form lumps and leave oil from nuts.
7.Add it to the sieved mixture.
8.Mix it well. Store in clean, dry airtight container.
9.This prepared mixture can be used for 4 cups of milk. Here I have used 2 cups milk so added half of thandai powder to it. Boil milk well, cool down then chill it.
10.Add to chilled milk. I used boiled, cooled and chilled milk.
11.Mix it well. Instant thandai ready. Serve chilled!
Thandai mix and thandai ready!
Expert Tips
- Add little more sugar than we usually add as for chilled milk sugar is needed more than usual.
- Adding cashews is optional but I prefer adding it.
- You can add dried rose petals if you like the flavor. Instead you can even add rose essence to chilled milk while serving.
- You can even add even gulkand and rose essence.
- I have not used poppy seeds, rose petals in this recipe but if you want you can add 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon dried rose petals while grinding the spices.
Serving and Storage
Store the prepared thandai powder in an airtight jar. It keeps well in room temperature for 3-5 days after that I recommend to keep it refrigerated which increase shelf life up to 3 months. Use a clean dry spoon every time.
Boil milk, add prepared thandai powder mix well and serve hot if preferred or chill the drink and serve. Thandai is commonly served chilled.
FAQS
1.What is Thandai Powder?
Thandai is a special spiced beverage made for Holi festival. Thandai Powder is a spice mix used to make thandai instantly. Traditionally thandai is made by soaking and grinding nuts. If you want to make thandai but don’t have the time to soak and grind then this instant thandai powder comes handy.
2.Is it a must to use rose petals for thandai powder?
No not at all, it is an optional ingredient. You can make thandai powder without rose petals also. Rose petals are added to give a nice flavor you can alternatively add rose essence to chilled milk while serving to get the exact flavor. I wouldn’t recommend using rose petals if you plan to store the thandai powder for long as it gives a not so pleasant smell if stored for a long time. So I suggest to add rose petals as garnish while serving or use rose essence instead.
3.What is thandai powder used for other than making thandai?
You can use it as a flavoring powder for beverages or making lassi, popsicle etc. You can use it to sprinkle as a garnish for desserts.
4.Can I make thandai powder without poppy seeds?
Yes definitely! Poppy seeds is banned in many regions and is not readily available in all the stores. It is available in India however I usually do not add poppy seeds while making thandai powder at times add it(only if I have it in stock) when making the traditional thandai. You can skip it too and it does not make much difference in taste.
If you have any more questions about this Thandai Powder Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .
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📖 Recipe Card
Thandai Powder Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/8 cup cashews
- 1/8 cup pistachios
- 1/8 cup melon seeds
- 10 teaspoon pepper corns
- 1/8 cup fennel seeds
- 5 cardamom
- 10 strands saffron
Instructions
- To a mixer jar first add 1/8 cup fennel seeds, 5 cardamom, 10 pepper corns and half of 1/4 cup sugar.
- Grind it to a fine powder then add to a sieve.
- Sieve it well. Discard the remains or add it to tea powder mix for making masala chai.
- Sieved mixture is ready, Set aside for later use.
- Now to the same mixer jar, add 1/4 cup almonds, 1/8 cup cashews, 1/8 cup pistachios, 1/8 cup melon seeds, remaining sugar and 10 strands saffron. Nuts are there hence be careful while grinding as it might let out oil easily.
- Grind it as fine as possible. Do not grind more otherwise it might form lumps and leave oil from nuts.
- Add it to the sieved mixture.
- Mix it well. Store in clean, dry airtight container.
- This prepared mixture can be used for 4 cups of milk. Here I have used 2 cups milk so added half of thandai powder to it. Boil milk well, cool down then chill it.
- Add to chilled milk. I used boiled, cooled and chilled milk.
- Mix it well. Instant thandai ready. Serve chilled!
- Thandai mix and thandai ready!
Video
Notes
- Add little more sugar than we usually add as for chilled milk sugar is needed more than usual.
- Adding cashews is optional but I prefer adding it.
- You can add dried rose petals if you like the flavor.
- Instead you can even add rose essence to chilled milk while serving.
- You can even add even gulkand and rose essence.
- I have not used poppy seeds, rose petals in this recipe but if you want you can add 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon dried rose petals while grinding the spices.
Payal
My mum also adds rose petals… makes a lot of difference !
Shraddha
Thanks for sharing the recipe.. you forgot to write rose petals in the ingredient list..
Sharmilee J
oh yes I missed it now updated 🙂