Where to buy Avil Milk?

What is avil milk?

Avil milk, also written aval milk or poha milk, is a cold dessert drink from the Malabar region of Kerala, India. A recipe blog describes it as a layered mix of mashed bananas, crispy roasted aval (rice flakes), cold milk and optional nuts. It is associated with Malappuram, and the post credits VH Bakery with introducing it and making it popular across Malabar.

Where can you buy it?

The places most associated with avil milk are juice stalls and bakeries in Kerala, especially in the Malabar area; another blog says it is often sold in tall glasses on Kerala’s evening streets. We found no reliable evidence that a standard packaged avil milk is sold in ordinary supermarkets. Outside Kerala, look for Kerala or South Indian restaurants and cafes, and ask. Menus differ, so check before you go.

How to make avil milk at home

Two recipe blogs give similar methods. For one serving the first blog (which sweetens with stevia) lists:

• 1 tsp ghee
• 1/4 cup aval (poha) flakes
• 3 small bananas (about 100 g)
• 1/2 cup cold milk
• sweetener to taste (1 tsp stevia in that recipe), plus optional cardamom and nuts

1. Heat the ghee, add the aval and sauté a couple of minutes until crisp. Set aside.
2. Mash the bananas in a glass.
3. Spread the roasted aval on top and pour the milk over.
4. Add cardamom and nuts, serve immediately and mix with a spoon.

Eat it right away so the aval stays crunchy. Keep the milk ice cold. The second blog also allows coconut, almond or cashew milk, and sweeteners such as sugar, honey, stevia or jaggery.

Where do you find the ingredients?

Poha (thick aval or beaten rice flakes) is sold in Indian grocery stores and many large supermarkets or online. Choose thick flakes for the best texture.

Variations

• Top with ice cream (and tutti frutti, in the first blog) for a special version.
• Add dates or dried fruit.

Is it a meal?

One blogger calls it a full meal, but it is a sweet drink, so treat it as a snack or dessert.