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Baking essentials · Flavourings

Kewra water

Fragrant distillate of screwpine (pandanus) flowers; a few drops perfume biryanis, kormas and Indian sweets.

Also called: kewra, kewda water, keora water, pandanus flower water, screwpine water

Around the world: केवड़ा जल (hi) · کیوڑہ (ur) · কেওড়া জল (bn)

1 recipe with it

What it is

A clear flower water distilled from the male flowers of Pandanus odoratissimus. It has a sweet, floral, slightly fruity scent quite different from pandan leaf. It is used drop by drop in Mughlai, Lucknowi and Bengali celebratory dishes and sweets.

How it’s used

  • Sprinkled over biryani layers before dum
  • Added to kormas and shahi gravies
  • Flavouring rasmalai, kheer and other sweets

Characteristics

Aroma
Sweet, floral and heady.
Sold as
liquid, extract
Cooking uses
Mainly a seasoning

Storage

Pantry-stable. Keep tightly closed away from light; the scent fades after a year once opened.

Diet, allergens and safety

No major allergens in typical versions.

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Dairy-free
  • Egg-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Soy-free
  • Caffeine-free
  • Some 'kewra essences' are concentrated: use only drops.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy
0 kcal
Protein
0 g
Carbohydrate
0 g
Fat
0 g
Fibre
0 g
Sugars
0 g

USDA FoodData Central: Water, bottled, generic (a close stand-in).

Substitutes

Optional — what works if you don’t have it, and how it changes the dish.

  • Rose water — Use the same small amount; the fragrance is different.

Related ingredients

Recipes with kewra water

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