Air katira
Air katira served in a tall glass | |
| Alternative names | Air katirah[1] |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Malaysia[2] |
| Region or state | Johor[3], also popular in Singapore |
| Serving temperature | Cold |
| Main ingredients | Tragacanth, milk, basil seeds, Scaphium affine , dates, almond, brown sugar and pandan[4] |
Air katira (Jawi: اءير كاتيرا) or simply katira is a beverage from the state of Johor, Malaysia.[5] It is a popular drink sold exclusively[6] during Ramadan.
Etymology
The word katira is derived from Persian, meaning "sticky vegetable".[7]
Origin
The beverage gets its name from the main ingredient, tragacanth, known as "kateera", which is found in the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. In India, goond katera (Devanagari: गोंद कतीरा) is mixed with water to produce a refreshing cooling drink. As the drink arrived in Johor, the usage of pandan adds to the iconic green color of the drink.[8]
Air katira gained popularity after Abu Bakar Mohammed Eusoff Al Pichir started selling it in Johor Bahru in the 1980s. He learned it from Pakistani traders before modifying the recipe to accustom to local taste buds. He then relocated to Masai.[9]
Ingredients
The drink is made by combining banana-flavored cordial with milk, Scaphium affine and basil seeds.[10] Recent variations have include the addition of grass jelly with flavours such as chocolate and air batu campur.[11]
Recognition
Air katira was recognised as an Object of National Heritage of Malaysia on 23 February 2024.[12] It was the drink of choice for iftar by the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah.[13]
In popular culture
The drink was referenced in the title of the Singaporean TV sitcom, Bubur Masjid Air Katira.[14]
References
- ^ Rough Guides (2024). The Rough Guide to Malaysia. Apa Publications. ISBN 9781839059285.
- ^ Shazlan Zulkifli, Malaysia. The famous drink in Malaysia during Ramadan (Ed. rev. et augm.) 2024, p.253-4
- ^ Shazlan Zulkifli (26 March 2024). "Katira drink Johor recipe". MyResepi (in Malay). Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ Abas, Norzamira (April 25, 2022). "Tekak tidak puas jika tidak minum air katira pada bulan Ramadan" [The throat is not satisfied without drinking air katira during the month of Ramadan]. Berita Mediacorp (in Malay). Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Shazlan Zulkifli (26 March 2024). "Katira drink Johor recipe". MyResepi. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ "Air Kathira Abu Bakar Setahun Sekali Bersua" [Abu Bakar's Kathira Drink Meets Once a Year]. Media Digital Johor (in Malay). April 14, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Kiumarsi, Amir; Grami, Bahram (2015). "KATIRA". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 7 March 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Seman, Saliheen (14 May 2019). "Misteri Minuman Popular Bulan Ramadan: Air Katira". Iluminasi (in Malay). Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ^ Mohamed, Badrul Kamal (2017-07-07). "Air Kathira Abu Bakar raih RM10,000 sehari". Berita Harian (in Malay). Retrieved 2024-05-20.
- ^ Zainal, Siti Khadijah (April 26, 2021). "Air Kathira Abu Bakar muncul setahun sekali" [Abu Bakar's Air Kathira appears once a year]. Malaysia Gazette (in Malay). Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Adnan, Ahmad Nabir (April 18, 2022). "Jangan mengaku 'Bangsa Johor' kalau tidak kenal apa itu air katira" [Don't claim to be a Johorean if you don't know what air katira is]. Astro Awani (in Malay). Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Sim, Wie Boon (23 February 2024). "Bak kut teh is now a national heritage food in Malaysia". Tatler Asia. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ^ Samian, Siti Sofia (May 15, 2019). "Air katira, sata antara menu pilihan Agong [METROTV]" [Air katira, sata among the King's preferred menu items]. Harian Metro (in Malay). Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Hussain, Siti Afifa (25 March 2024). "Bubur Masjid, Air Katira kembali untuk musim ke-4". Berita Harian Singapura (in Malay). Retrieved 5 March 2025.