China Grass Pudding Recipe

China grass pudding also known as agar, agar pudding or Kadal Paasi is a popular dessert made in southern part of India specially during Ramadan. This pudding is made using coconut milk, sugar, china grass and cardamom. It is easy to make and great for parties and get togethers just like my agar agar pudding and rose pudding. Learn how to make china grass pudding with step by step pictures and video. 

China Grass Pudding

I have tasted this pudding in my friends home. I have used gelatin in most of my puddings, But after trying this recipe, I am loving the texture of agar agar too. You can check out my mango cheesecake, mango pudding where I have used gelatin as my setting agent.

One of my viewer requested this recipe. So I have to try and post the recipe here. I ringed my trusty friend Jafrin and got the recipe. She told me that, You can either make this with milk or coconut milk and she insisted me to heat the china grass on a low heat, so it doesn't burn and melt properly. 

Another point which she mentioned is, you can make it in any flavour. You can add vanilla essence, pineapple essence or anything. You can also add boost or any chocolate drink powder in this too. I have to try that soon. But this version is the traditional one. 

About China grass pudding 

China grass pudding is made often during Ramadan season. Since it is very easy to make people like to make it for their Iftar spread. This simple pudding or jelly is made using coconut milk, sugar, agar agar and cardamom. The important part is the measurement of the China grass to liquid. 

Kadal paasi is also called as china grass or agar agar in english and it is used as a vegetarian substitute for gelatin. It will help to set the pudding like a jelly. This recipe is very good for health and the best body coolant in summer. 

China grass or agar agar is a natural coolant for the body. In this recipe you can use agar agar strips or powder. Personally I find powder is easy to use and melts faster. But I have mentioned method for using both in this post. 

Make sure you try this pudding which will be popular with kids during summer season. 

Similar recipes

Vanilla pudding

Mango pudding

Caramel pudding

Bread pudding 

Eggless caramel custard 

Watch China grass pudding video 

China grass pudding ingredients 

China grass - China grass also known as agar agar. It is vegetarian setting agent popularly used in making puddings, jelly and set desert. In this recipe, you can use agar agar strips or powdered Agar. I have mentioned method for both. 

Coconut Milk - this is a traditional dessert made using coconut milk. You can use fresh or canned coconut milk. Coconut milk adds the rich taste to this pudding. 

Sugar - I like to make this pudding white in colour so I use white sugar. You can use jaggery for brown sugar as well.

Cardamom - it is used for flavouring. You can skip cardamom and use vanilla extract instead. 

Optional - you can use any nuts for garnishing.

Agar-Agar vs Gelatin 

Agar Agar - Agar agar is completely plant based gelatin derived from seaweed. It is a vegan product used in sweets and dessert. Many asian pudding and jelly uses agar agar as main ingredient. You can easily find agar agar powder online. I use this brand of agar agar powder.

Gelatin - Gelatin or gelatine is a translucent, colorless, flavorless thickening ingredient, derived from collagen taken from animal body parts. Usually it is used to set pudding, jelly and many desserts. This is one of the main ingredient in making gummy bears and candies. 

Can we use gelatin in china grass pudding?

This recipe for china grass pudding is made using agar agar. I used powdered agar agar for easy measurement and convenient. But if you prefer using gelatin, you can easily substitute agar agar with gelatin. The pudding will still turn out great. 

How to use gelatin in this pudding

• Take 2 tsp of gelatin in a bowl. Add in ¼ cup of cold water. Mix it really well and set aside for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes the gelatin must have absorbed all the water and bloomed. 
• Now add the bloomed gelatin in a sauce pan and heat on low heat. The gelatin will melt into a clear liquid.
• Now proceed with the recipe as usual. 

Is agar agar and china grass same?

Agar-agar is a substance completely soluble in boiling water or milk. Also known as china grass, is a healthy alternative to gelatin. Agar agar is a jelly like substance extracted from sea weed. It is a vegetarian alternative for gelatin.

China grass or agar agar is a plant derived gelatin, which is used in making puddings, jellies and custards. Agar agar is commonly known as China grass in India.

Many asian desserts uses agar agar. Some of the most popular desserts from asian cuisine is palm fruit pudding, coconut agar agar pudding, mango jelly

Variations

Vanilla Agar Agar Pudding - this delicious pudding is made with milk, agar agar and sugar. It has predominant flavour of vanilla.

Rose Pudding - use rose extract for this pudding which adds a subtle rose flavour.

Vanilla & Chocolate Pudding - the pudding is set in individual serving glass. it has vanilla and chocolate custard added in layers.

Chocolate Pudding - decadent pudding made with chocolate flavour.

Tender Coconut Pudding - elaneer is added in the mixture which makes the refreshing summer dessert.

How to Use China Grass | Agar Agar Strips

For making puddings you use china grass or agar agar. Agar agar comes in different forms like sheets, strips and powder. Agar agar strips is the most commonly used form in making puddings and jellies.

I find agar agar powder more convenient because Agar agar strips takes times to melt into the pudding. Also you have to use very little agar agar powder for strips.

If you only have a china grass strips, this is how you use it. I have made this pudding recipe both with strips and powder. Both turn out equally good.

1) You will need 5 grams of agar agar strips for 500 ml of liquid. That is the measurement.

2)Break agar agar into small pieces and add them to a bowl.

3)Pour ½ cup of water over the strips and let them soak for 10 to 15 minutes for the strips to soften.

4)Now transfer them to a kadai and heat them so they can melt. Heat them on a low heat. This will take a good 10 to 15 mins or so.

5)keep mixing on low heat till strips melts completely. Now you can proceed with the recipe.

How to Make China Grass Pudding (Stepwise pictures)

Using Agar Agar Powder

1)Take ½ cup of water in a pot. I used regular water for this recipe. The heat is not on at this point.

2)Take agar agar powder. I am using 5 grams of agar agar powder which is roughly around 2 tsp of the powder.

3)Sprinkle the powder over the water evenly. Once the powder is added, mix it really well using a spoon and then turn on the heat.

4)Cook the mixture on low till it starts to thicken like shown below.

Making Pudding Mix

5)Add in sugar into the agar agar mixture. once sugar is added mix it well on low heat and cook till sugar melts completely.

6)Now sugar is melted completely.

7)Now pour in the coconut milk. I used thick coconut milk. Make sure the heat is on low when you pour the coconut milk.

Pro Tip: Instead of coconut milk you can use regular milk.

8)Mix the coconut milk into the agar agar sugar mixture till it is completely mixed.

9)Add in cardamom powder. Instead of cardamom powder you can use vanilla extract as well.

10)Mix well. the pudding mixture is ready.

Setting China grass pudding

11)Now we are going to strain the mixture through a fine sieve to remove the cardamom skins.

12)Pour the strained coconut milk mix into a glass baking tray. You can use any mould as you prefer.

13)once the mixture is poured in the tray, allow it to set for 15 minutes at room temperature for the pudding to set half way through. At this point sprinkle chopped or crushed nuts over the pudding evenly. So it wont sink to the bottom of the tray.

Now gently transfer the pudding tray into fridge and allow it to set for few hours.

14)Slice into pieces and serve.

Expert Tips

• Don’t use too much agar agar else the pudding may turn out hard in texture.
• Once coconut milk is added, cook this in low heat so the coconut milk doesn’t separate. 
• The same recipe can be made with regular milk instead of coconut milk.
• If you don’t prefer cardamom, you can use vanilla extract instead.
• Make sure to strain the pudding mixture for smooth texture. 
• Agar agar or China grass sets at room temperature. But this pudding taste best when served chilled. So keep in fridge for few hours before serving. 

FAQ

How to make china grass pudding

China grass pudding is made often during Ramadan season. Since it is very easy to make people like to make it for their Iftar spread. This simple pudding or jelly is made using coconut milk, sugar, agar agar and cardamom. The important part is the measurement of the China grass to liquid. 

How much china grass to use?

For every 500 ml of liquid you need 5 grams of china grass or agar agar.

Is china grass healthy?

Kadal paasi is also called as china grass or agar agar in english and it is used as a vegetarian substitute for gelatin. It will help to set the pudding like a jelly. This recipe is very good for health and the best body coolant in summer. 

How to use china grass in pudding?

You can use china grass strips or powder in pudding. Melt the china grass in water till it is completely dissolved and mix with milk or coconut milk.

More Pudding Recipes

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