Navat
Crystallised grape sugar candy
Novvot: Samarkand crystallised grape-sugar candy grown on threads
In Samarkand and Bukhara, navat is sold in sparkling amber clusters still hanging from the threads they grew on, and Uzbek families dissolve a piece in green tea as a cure for colds, or give it to new mothers. Traditionally it is crystallised slowly from grape juice and sugar; at home, a strong syrup with a little grape juice, left undisturbed for several days, grows the same glassy crystals. A common mistake is moving the jar, which knocks the crystals loose before they form. Chef's tip: use clean cotton threads dipped in syrup and rolled in sugar first; the seed crystals give the new ones something to grow on.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- hard
- Serves
- 24
Ingredients
For the navat
- 1 ⅓ lb sugarplus 2 tbsp for the threads
- 1 cup water
- 3 ½ tbsp white grape juice
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- 6 pieces clean cotton string20 cm each
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 1 ⅓ lb sugar, 1 cup water and 3 ½ tbsp white grape juice in a heavy pan, stirring, until dissolved. Boil without stirring for 5 minutes, until it reaches 225°F. Add ½ tsp lemon juice. Take care: boiling sugar burns badly.
15 minStep 2: Dip 6 pieces clean cotton string in the hot syrup, then roll them in a little sugar and leave to dry for 10 minutes.
10 minStep 3: Pour the syrup into a tall, clean glass jar. Tie the threads to a pencil laid across the top so they hang into the syrup without touching the sides.
Step 4: Cover the jar with paper and leave in a warm, still place for 3–5 days, without moving it, until thick crystals cover the threads. Common mistake: moving or stirring the jar; the crystals drop off.
Step 5: Lift out the threads, rinse briefly in cold water and dry on a rack for a day. Store in a jar.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 60 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 15 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does navat take?
- About 50 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 24 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
- What can I use instead of lemon juice?
- Lime juice, same amount.
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