How to Make Black Gulaman

I am a chef on a luxury world cruise liner. I love to cook and write recipes that are inspired by foods from all over the world.

What Is Black Gulaman?

Black gulaman is a popular Asian drink. This refreshment is made with ice-cold water sweetened with gulaman (black jelly) and arnibal (brown sugar syrup).

In the Philippines, this is a staple drink that is commonly sold not only in restaurants but also in street stalls. It is usually paired with snacks such as pancit, turon, fish balls, and dumplings, to name few. Let me show you an easy-to-follow recipe for this delicious drink.

Ingredients

1 / 3

Cook Time

Ingredients

For the Gulaman:

• 25 grams black gulaman powder
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 6 cups water

For the Arnibal:

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Other:

• water

Utensils

For Preparation:

• 3 large bowls
• 1 medium bowl
• 1 small bowl
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• chopping board
• knife

For Cooking:

• pan
• pot
• cooking spoon
• whisk

For Molding:

• jelly molder (see photo) or any container
• ladle

Instructions

1. In a pot, pour in water. Dilute brown sugar and black gulaman powder.
2. Bring it to boil. Mix once to ensure that there are no lumps.
3. Transfer the mixture in a jelly molder or container. Let it cool a bit.
4. Cover each molder or container before storing it inside the fridge.
5. In a pan, pour in water. Bring it to a boil.
6. Stir in brown sugar. Mix until sugar is dissolved. Add the vanilla essence. Let it boil. Stir it once in a while.
7. Reduce mixture until the texture becomes syrupy. Once done, transfer it in a bowl. Let it cool down.
8. Remove gulaman from the fridge. Slice it into cubes. Set aside.
9. In a glass, assemble the black gulaman drink by adding the sliced jelly, cold water, syrup, and ice cubes.
10. Serve with your favorite snack.

Black Gulaman Video Tutorial

Tips and Techniques

1. Adjust the amount of syrup based on your desired sweetness.
2. Replace vanilla essence with a vanilla pod for a stronger flavor.
3. Add more gulaman if preferred.
4. Omit brown sugar to produce an unsweetened black gulaman.
5. Use sweet grass jelly in can instead of powdered black gulaman to achieve a more authentic flavor.

More Refreshing Drink Recipes

• How to Make Tokyo Tokyo Red Iced Tea: A Japanese-Inspired Drink
  Have you ever eaten at Tokyo Tokyo? It's the most popular Japanese food restaurant chain in the Philippines. This restaurant offers a variety of delicious foods and drinks. Learn how I re-created their famous red iced tea at home.
• How to Make Kalamansi Granita: A Sicilian-Inspired Frozen Dessert
  Granita is a popular Sicilian frozen dessert made with water, sugar, and fruit flavorings. Try this recipe for a refreshing kalamansi granita.

© 2019 Travel Chef