📝 Ingredients & Quantities

Base Ingredients

• Mixed Berries (fresh or frozen) – 2 cups
  (Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)
  Substitute: Cherries, plums, or cranberries (Kapha-friendly)

• Water – ½ cup
  Adjust for desired thickness

• Ghee – 1 teaspoon
  Substitute: Coconut oil (Pitta), skip oil for Kapha

• Śarkarā (Raw Unrefined Sugar) – optional 1–2 teaspoons
  Ayurvedic Precaution:
  Only a small amount keeps the dish light; too much increases Kapha and lowers Agni.
  Can be omitted depending on berry sweetness.

• Fresh Lemon Juice – ½–1 teaspoon (added after cooking)

Spices You Will Need

(Aromatic, warming, digestive — a unique blend specially chosen for berries)

Cinnamon Stick – 1 small piece
Rasa: sweet–pungent | Virya: heating | Vipāka: sweet
Balances sourness; improves circulation

Cardamom Powder – ¼ teaspoon
Rasa: sweet–pungent | Virya: cooling | Vipāka: sweet
Adds floral aroma; soothes digestion

Fresh Ginger – ½ teaspoon, grated
Rasa: pungent | Virya: heating | Vipāka: sweet
Ignites Agni; reduces dampness

Dried Fennel – ¼ teaspoon, lightly crushed
Rasa: sweet–bitter | Virya: cooling | Vipāka: sweet
Balances heat; enhances sweetness naturally

Clove – 1–2 whole (optional)
Rasa: pungent | Virya: heating | Vipāka: pungent
Deepens warmth; helps winter digestion

Star Anise – ¼ pod (optional)
Rasa: sweet–pungent | Virya: warming | Vipāka: sweet
Adds gentle licorice-like aroma

Black Pepper – 1 small pinch
Rasa: pungent | Virya: heating | Vipāka: pungent
Enhances absorption; prevents heaviness

🔥 Method of Preparation

• Add berries and water to a small saucepan and warm on medium-low heat.

• Once berries begin releasing their juices, add ghee, cinnamon stick, cardamom, ginger, fennel, optional clove/star anise, and a pinch of black pepper.

• Stir gently, lowering heat to allow berries to soften without losing their structure.

• Simmer for 6–10 minutes, depending on whether you prefer a chunky or saucy texture.

• Add śarkarā only if needed, after berries soften, stirring until dissolved.

• Turn off heat and let the stewed berries rest for 1–2 minutes.

• Add fresh lemon juice only after cooling slightly — this preserves Pitta balance and keeps the dish bright.

• Serve warm as a soothing dessert, breakfast topping, or with warm spiced porridge.

⚖️ Dosha Effects

🌿 Vata

• Very balancing and grounding

• Add extra ghee

• Keep spices gently warming

• Serve warm

🔥 Pitta

• Reduce ginger + black pepper

• Use coconut oil instead of ghee

• Increase fennel + cardamom

• Add extra lemon at the end

🌱 Kapha

• Excellent with spices increased

• Avoid śarkarā

• Add extra ginger + black pepper

• Use less water to keep it lighter