Goond katira/ badam pisin cooler

#cooler Goond katira also known as Badam Pisin or Almond gum is natural edible gum obtained from almond tree. It is a natural coolant and is usually had in summers to get some relief from the heat and keep the body cool. My mom is from Punjab (a North-Indian state) and she would always make this yummy drink in summers with almond gum popularly known as goond-katira in Punjabi households. It is usually had with chilled milk and sugar. My mom used to add mishri or rock candy to sweeten it, but my father liked to add Roohafza or rose syrup to it. Every region has a different recipe to prepare it. But not many people know about this wonderful coolant as it is not easily available in the grocery stores. It is consumed only by a few people these days as the aeriated drinks and other readymade drinks have become more popular. But I make it a point to make healthy and natural cooling drinks at home during summers and avoid all those sugary beverages. These little rocks are light brown or white in colour and swell up three or four times and look like jelly when soaked in water overnight. Only 4-5 pieces of this gum is enough to make a glass full of goond katira drink. I always soak some extra gum so that I can relish this drink for a few days as the jelly obtained from soaking the gum can be stored in the refrigerator for good 3-4 days. You can easily make delightful and refreshing drinks like nannari sharbat, faalooda, rose flavoured milk or jigarthanda drink using this jelly.