janmashtami

Makhan Mishri: The Science Behind Krishna’s Favorite Sweet

Posted on: August 26th, 2024 12:00 PM

India’s food culture is as vibrant as its festivals, reflecting its rich understanding of flavors and emotions.
Since Vedic times, Makhan, a fat-rich dairy product, has been used extensively in Indian households and holds a significant place in the stories of Lord Krishna.

Sweets are at the heart of Indian festivals and Janmashtami symbolizes fun and prosperity around various delicacies that Lord Krishna loved.

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the most revered deity, a cultural icon, whose life and teachings are ingrained in the Indian culture and spirituality.

On this day, many stories of the life and likes of Lord Krishna are told, some of them about his Leela and some about his favorite Makhan Mishri!

This simple and sweet blend of fresh white butter and coarsely ground mishri (sugar), said to be Lord Krishna’s favorite, is a natural, unprocessed alternative to yellow butter.
This article delves into the tales of Janmashtami, Makhan Mishri, and the various health benefits of this sweet butter bhog.

The Tale of Lord Krishna’s Birth:

Each year on Janmashtami, devotees of Lord Krishna celebrate the birth of the eighth avatar of Lord Krishna on earth, a victory of good over evil.

The story is that Devaki and Vasudev had little Krishna while Devaki’s evil brother Kansa, the king of Dwarka, held both of them in prison. A prophecy was announced to Kansa that he was destined to be killed by his eighth nephew, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

To prevent this, Kansa imprisoned his sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva, killing their children as soon as they were born.

When Krishna was born, a celestial light filled the prison and a divine voice instructed Vasudeva to take Krishna across the Yamuna river and leave him in the care of Nanda and Yashoda in Gokul.

Nanda and Devaki accepted Krishna as their child and raised him in the vicinity of cows and Gopis. Krishna is popular for being mischievous, playing pranks on villagers, and stealing Makhan Mishri with his friends in Gokul.

Little Krishna is known to be fond of Maakhan or White Butter. He would not only finish all the butter that his mother made at home but also go around the village to steal Makhan, earning him the name of ‘Makhan Chor’ (butter thief).

Yashoda mixed freshly churned butter with sugar for a young Krishna, who loved this sweet. As he grew older, Krishna realized his divine powers and achieved miraculous feats, fighting various demons and saving the lives of the people of Gokul.

Krishna’s birth is celebrated with great fervor and joy, symbolically breaking pots filled with curd and buttermilk. The devotees also perform the Krishna Abhishekam, which includes offering the deity a mix of ghee, milk, and water as a bhog.

Makhan Mishri: A Nutritional Breakdown.

White Butter or Makhan, made by churning fresh milk and cream, is a regular breakfast staple in North India. Lord Krishna loved the freshly made sweet which is also revered for its health benefits

Home-made white Butter is a healthier alternative to the salted variants that we see in the markets.

  • Un-salted:

    Many nutritionists have explained the benefits of unsalted butter. Foods with high sodium/salt are not recommended for people with high blood pressure.
    Consuming 500 mg of sodium is essential for vital functions, going beyond that limit can lead to high blood pressure, heart stroke, calcium loss, and other diseases.

  • Good for Skin:

    White butter can do wonders for your skin too. White butter is loaded with selenium and vitamin E, which can help boost skin health and give you glowing and young skin. Apply a white butter mask on your face once or twice every week for best results.
    White butter is known to make your skin look youthful by improving its elasticity.

  • Source of Calories:

    White butter is primarily composed of saturated and unsaturated fats. It is also full of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been linked to various health benefits, and various antioxidants.
    Calories provide you with energy throughout the day.

  • Boosts Haemoglobin:

    Makhan Mishri, a delectable combination of clarified butter (ghee) and rock sugar, is a beloved delicacy in Indian cuisine, especially with Lord Krishna. Beyond its cultural significance, Makhan Mishri offers several nutritional benefits.

  • Lubricates the Joints:

    Makhan is believed to contain molecular structures, which assimilate fat and lubricate joints. People suffering from joint pain or arthritis can consider including white butter in their diet.
    However, it is always advised to consult a healthcare professional.

Health Benefits of Mishri/Rock Sugar:

Rock sugar is coarsely ground sugar crystals, also known as Mishri, Khand, or Bhura Sugar in the Indian subcontinent.

Mishri is easily digestible and a healthy substitute for common table sugar, leaving a cooling effect on the body. It holds numerous health benefits, including:

  • Cough and Cold: Rock sugar or Mishri is believed to treat cough, cold, and sore throat, especially in winter.
  • Boosts Energy: Mishri is an instant source of energy, that refreshes the mood and provides the dose of glucose. It also improves memory and treats mental fatigue or mood swings.

India’s Tradition of Churning Makhan:

Makhan churning, or "matka churning," is a traditional Indian practice that involves churning curd to separate the makhan (butter) from the buttermilk. This process of making homemade healthy white butter has been carried out for centuries in Indian homes, for its culinary benefits and cultural significance.

India generates the most revenue from butter (Makhan), amounting to US $ 8,035m in 2024. Of the total butter production in India, around 52% is sold to commercial utilities and 48% is retained at home, which says a lot about its significance in the Indian diet.

Cultural Significance:

    Lord Krishna: Makhan churning is closely associated with Lord Krishna, who was often depicted as a butter thief in Hindu mythology.
    • The practice of churning curd from the mother Yashoda to many women in history holds the value of transforming mundane life into the divine.

Makhan Mishri Recipe:

Makhan Mishri is prepared as a bhog for Lord Krishna on the occasion of Janmashtami. Here’s a quick and easy recipe:

Ingredients:

Homemade Makhan or White Butter- 100 gm
Mishri or Rock sugar- 20 gm

Recipe:

  1. Put the white butter to chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.
  2. Grind Mishri or Rock sugar to a coarse powder.
  3. Mix the butter and sugar in a bowl. You can also add your favorite nuts to add a crunchy flavor.
  4. Your Makhan Mishri, lord Krishna’s favorite sweet, is ready to be served with joy.

Conclusion:

Makhan Mishri, a beloved Indian sweet, offers a delicious combination of taste and health benefits.
Its rich cultural significance and nutritional value of Makhan and sugar, make it a great addition to a balanced diet.

Whether you’re a devotee looking to make Lord Krishna’s favorite sweet or simply seeking a delicious treat, try this traditional sweet at home with Organic sugar alternatives from Re:fresh and make the sweet healthier.

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