This post was on our minds for a long time and since Diwali is around the corner, we thought this is the perfect time to discuss the process of making sugar syrup for making Indian Sweets. We have tried to explain the process of one-string, two-string, and three-string consistency sugar syrup stages as minutely as possible. Most of our traditional Indian Sweets require sugar syrup (chashni), but we often avoid preparing them because of the preparation of sugar syrup.
1-string consistency sugar syrup is used for Indian sweets like Gulab Jamun, Malpua, Jalebi, and more such sweets.
1.5 to 2-string consistency sugar syrup is used for Indian sweets like Mohanthal where you want to make pieces.
2 to 3-string consistency sugar syrup is used for coating the sweets or snacks like Shakkarpara.
Timing for String Consistency
One-string consistency – 3 to 5 minutes
Two-string consistency – 5 to 6 minutes
Three-string consistency – 6 to 7 minutes
More than three-string consistency – more than 7 minutes
Notes
We have mentioned the time for sugar syrup stages just for a basic understanding and reference. The time will vary depending on factors like –
Size of the vessel – If you are using a big vessel, it might take less time than as compared to using a small size vessel for making the syrup.
Quantity – We have prepared the sugar syrup from 1 cup of sugar. If making for more than 1 cup of sugar, it might take more time.
Flame – The level of heat you are cooking the chashni or sugar syrup will decide the time. Low flame or low heat varies on the gas stove.
Sugar granules – The size of the sugar granules matters the most and the time to achieve the string consistency depends on it. Some sugar granules are big while there are small sugar granules too. If the sugar granules are small like ours, achieving the string consistency might take a little more time.
So, take the timing as just a reference point and follow the tips mentioned to check the consistency.
Steps on how to prepare sugar syrup (chashni) for Indian Sweets
In a pan, combine 1 cup sugar and ½ cup water. After mixing both the ingredients, now switch on the flame to medium heat. Keep stirring continuously.
One-string Consistency to 1.5-string Consistency
Once the syrup comes to a boil, reduce the flame to low and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes. After 3 minutes, switch off the flame and keep stirring. Take out a little quantity on a plate. Once it cools check the consistency. To check, place a drop of syrup between your finger and thumb and draw them apart, you should observe one string that is breaking in between. So, it will not be a firm string and you won’t be able to stretch it. If you feel the syrup is not sticky enough, then again cook for 1 more minute. After 3 minutes, check the consistency every minute. Ours was achieved after 4 minutes and 5 minutes, but as we mentioned earlier do not go by the exact time and keep checking.
Two-string to 2.5-string Consistency
Now cook for another minute and again check the consistency for 2 strings. Again, after cooking for a more minute, switch off the flame. To check, place a drop of syrup between your finger and thumb and draw them apart, you should observe one firm string. You will also notice a change in the stickiness and elasticity must have increased.
So, it will be a firm string and you will be able to stretch it as compared to the previous time. If you feel the syrup is not sticky enough, then again cook for 1 more minute. After achieving one-string consistency, it can take about 1 to 2 minutes more.
Three string Consistency
Keep cooking the syrup further for one more minute. At this stage, keep stirring continuously. Now you will observe a thick syrup that will start getting crystallized. It will be very thick and when you will try to check it, it may coat your finger. So for every 50 seconds to 1 minute, the string consistency will change. This thick consistency sugar syrup is used for coating sweets & snacks like shakkarpara.
Pro Tips
- Switch on the flame after mixing sugar and water. Do not switch on the flame before that.
- After the sugar syrup thickens, the string consistency changes very quickly. You can say that for every minute it increases by 1 string. So, for beginners, we recommend that you switch off the flame while checking the consistency. Otherwise, there are chances that while you are checking the consistency, the syrup will get thicker, and the consistency will change.
Recipe Card
How to make Sugar syrup (chashni) for Indian Sweets
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Ingredients (1 cup = 240 ml)
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- In a pan, combine 1 cup sugar and ½ cup water. After mixing both the ingredients, now switch on the flame to medium heat. Keep stirring continuously.
One-string Consistency to 1.5-string Consistency
- Once the syrup comes to a boil, reduce the flame to low and allow it to simmer for 3-4 minutes. After 3 minutes, switch off the flame and keep stirring. Take out a little quantity on a plate. Once it cools check the consistency. To check, place a drop of syrup between your finger and thumb and draw them apart, you should observe one string that is breaking in between. So, it will not be a firm string and you won’t be able to stretch it. If you feel the syrup is not sticky enough, then again cook for 1 more minute. After 3 minutes, check the consistency every minute. Ours was achieved after 4 minutes and 5 minutes, but as we mentioned earlier do not go by the exact time and keep checking.
Two-string to 2.5-string Consistency
- Now cook for another minute and again check the consistency for 2 strings. Again, after cooking for a more minute, switch off the flame. To check, place a drop of syrup between your finger and thumb and draw them apart, you should observe one firm string. You will also notice a change in the stickiness and elasticity must have increased.
- So, it will be a firm string and you will be able to stretch it as compared to the previous time. If you feel the syrup is not sticky enough, then again cook for 1 more minute. After achieving one-string consistency, it can take about 1 to 2 minutes more.
Three string Consistency
- Keep cooking the syrup further for one more minute. At this stage, keep stirring continuously. Now you will observe a thick syrup that will start getting crystallized. It will be very thick and when you will try to check it, it may coat your finger.
Video
Notes
- Switch on the flame after mixing sugar and water. Do not switch on the flame before that.
- After the sugar syrup thickens, the string consistency changes very quickly. You can say that for every minute it increases by 1 string. So, for beginners, we recommend that you switch off the flame while checking the consistency. Otherwise, there are chances that while you are checking the consistency, the syrup will get thicker, and the consistency will change.
- Timing for String Consistency One-string consistency – 3 to 5 minutes Two-string consistency – 5 to 6 minutes Three-string consistency – 6 to 7 minutes More than three-string consistency – more than 7 minutes NOTES
- We have mentioned the time for sugar syrup stages just for a basic understanding and reference. The time will vary depending on factors like – Size of the vessel – If you are using a big vessel, it might take less time than as compared to using a small size vessel for making the syrup. Quantity – We have prepared the sugar syrup from 1 cup of sugar. If making for more than 1 cup of sugar, it might take more time. Flame – The level of heat you are cooking the chashni or sugar syrup will decide the time. Low flame or low heat varies on the gas stove. Sugar granules – The size of the sugar granules matters the most and the time to achieve the string consistency depends on it. Some sugar granules are big while there are small sugar granules too. If the sugar granules are small like ours, achieving the string consistency might take a little more time.
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