By Devi Poojari
August 26, 2024
Sabudana or tapioca pearls are a fasting staple that is consumed across various regions in India. However, getting the right chewy but soft texture can be tricky if the pearls aren’t soaked right or under-soaked – resulting in an under-cooked preparation.
Run the sabudana under cold water three times to rinse it fully and prevent the pearls from sticking later, once softened.
Depending on the size of your sago pearls, opt to use 1.5-2 cups of buttermilk to soak a cup of sabudana.
The ideal duration for the sabudana to soak should be anywhere between 4-6 hours or overnight, if planned correctly.
Once soaked, the tapioca pearls should yield with a slight pressure from your fingers but not be mushy; a slight bounce back when pressed is ideal.
Whether you choose to soak your sabudana in water or buttermilk, make sure to drain off any excess liquid completely before proceeding to use it.
Use a fork to fluff up your soaked sabudana before it is mixed into vada fillings or khichdi.