Wheat Kanji

Name: Wheat Kanji
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 8 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Indian (Kerala)
Ingredients: 1 cup (160 g) broken wheat (gothambu/dalia); 5 cups (1.2 litres) water; 1 cup (240 ml) thin coconut milk; 80 g jaggery, grated; 1/4 tsp (0.5 g) cardamom powder; Pinch of salt; 1 tsp (5 ml) ghee (optional); Broken wheat takes longer than rice — do not rush or grains will be crunchy in the centre.; This kanji keeps well in the fridge for 2 days; thin with water when reheating as it thickens on cooling.; A savoury version uses salt, green chillies, and curry leaves instead of jaggery — equally popular.

🟢 Veg📊 Easy

A thick, nurturing porridge made from broken wheat (gothambu), cooked slowly until grains soften and release starch into a creamy, slightly sweet porridge. Wheat kanji is a beloved breakfast during cool monsoon mornings and is particularly associated with post-illness recovery. It is more filling and richer in protein than rice kanji.

⏱️5 minPrep

🔥3 minCook

🕒8 minTotal

🍽️2Serves

🧺 Ingredients

1 cup (160 g) broken wheat (gothambu/dalia)
5 cups (1.2 litres) water
1 cup (240 ml) thin coconut milk
80 g jaggery, grated
1/4 tsp (0.5 g) cardamom powder
Pinch of salt
1 tsp (5 ml) ghee (optional)
This kanji keeps well in the fridge for 2 days; thin with water when reheating as it thickens on cooling.

👩‍🍳 How to make Wheat Kanji

Rinse broken wheat once in cold water.
Drain.
Combine broken wheat and water in a pot.
Bring to boil over high heat.
Add pinch of salt.
Reduce to low, cover partially.
Cook 25–30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until wheat grains are completely soft and have released starch.
Pour in thin coconut milk, stir.
Add jaggery and cardamom.
Cook over medium-low heat 3–4 minutes until jaggery dissolves.
Adjust sweetness.
Add ghee if using.

📖 Cultural notes

|---|---|---|---|---| | 255 kcal | 5 g | 47 g | 5 g | 3 g | Gothambu kanji is particularly associated with Ramadan in Kerala's Muslim communities, where it is the pre-dawn (sehri) meal providing sustained energy through the fasting day. In Hindu households, it is the traditional breakfast served to new mothers and recovering patients. The slow cooking method is culturally significant — it is considered a food of care and attention. ---

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