Mallow Flower (Panirak) Syrup with Varied Natural Colors

1. Background

Origin and Traditional Use:
One of the loveliest summer greetings you can offer family or guests is a cool glass of basil seed and chia seed syrup—it not only refreshes but, with its aromatic herbal distillates, helps soothe the nerves. But today’s diners also appreciate visual flair. By adding mallow flower infusion, you not only chill and calm the body but also create a beautiful, nutrient-rich drink in an array of natural colors.

Mallow flowers themselves have little flavor but boast many health benefits; you can source them from an herbal shop. Read on in the “Health Benefits” section below to discover their remarkable properties.

2. Ingredients

Serves: 2
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0
Calories: –

• Dried mallow flowers (گل پنیرک): 2 tbsp

• Water: 1 cup

• Sugar: as needed

• Basil seeds or chia seeds: 2 tbsp

• Herbal distillates (e.g., rose water, borage water): as desired

• Ice cubes: as desired

• Lemon juice and saffron (optional): as desired

3. Instructions

1. Rinse and Soak the Flowers:
   Quickly rinse the mallow flowers under cold water to preserve their color, then soak in cold water for 30 minutes. Strain thoroughly.
   Note: Prepare the mallow infusion fresh each time—it will discolor if left standing too long.

   

   

2. Prepare the Seeds:
   Separately rinse the basil or chia seeds, then soak them in a small amount of water until they swell.

   

3. Make a Syrup (Optional):
   For convenience, you can cook sugar with a little water over low heat until slightly thickened, then store the syrup in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. Use as needed.

4. Assemble the Drink:
   In a serving glass, combine sugar (or prepared syrup), soaked seeds, herbal distillates, the strained mallow infusion, water, and ice. You’ll have a refreshing blue drink—but you can also vary the hue naturally:

   • Blue: mallow only (deeper with more flowers)

   • Green: add saffron infusion

   • Pink: add lemon juice

   • Orange: add both saffron and lemon juice

     

     

     

     

4. Nature of the Beverage

Traditional Temperament:
Mallow is not recommended for cold, moist constitutions.

5. Health Benefits

Properties of Mallow Flower:
Mallow Flower Syrup is rich in vitamins A, B, and C. Its traditional uses include:

• Supporting kidney and bladder health

• Soothing cough and bronchial irritation

• Relieving nausea and respiratory inflammation

• Treating skin blemishes and urinary tract discomfort

• Alleviating migraine headaches and tonsillitis

• Acting as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, astringent, mild laxative, diuretic, and expectorant

• When used as a gargle, it can soothe mouth and throat irritations

Cautions:

• Avoid during pregnancy.

• Excessive use may overstimulate weak stomachs.

• Not suitable for cold, moist temperaments.

• Can lower blood sugar—diabetics should exercise caution.

• Those prone to herbal allergies should use sparingly.

Ingredients Chart