Javvarisi Payasam | Sago Payasam

Javvarisi Payasam is a delicious creamy dessert made by cooking javvarisi / sago with milk, sugar and flavored with cardamom finally garnished with ghee fried nuts & raisins. Javvarisi Payasam also called as Sago Payasam is a special festive kheer which can be made in minutes and loved by all for its taste. Learn to make Javvarisi Payasam with step by step pictures and video.

Sago / Javvarisi Payasam is one of the easiest payasam recipes like Semiya Payasam. As tamil new year is nearing I wanted to post this simple easy payasam which has been long due here in this space. I used to call this balls payasam as a kid and I am still bowled out to see the cute looking balls, aren’t they cute?!

Jump to:

• About Javvarisi Payasam
• Sago Payasam Video
• Sago Payasam Ingredients
• How to make Sago Payasam Step by Step
• Expert Tips
• Serving & Storage Suggestion
• FAQS
• 📖 Recipe Card

About Javvarisi Payasam

Javvarisi Payasam or Sago Payasam is one of the easiest payasam or kheer recipes that you can try even as a beginner. Sago is starchy, round shaped pearls extracted from tapioca or yuca root. The largest supply of sago comes from Southeast Asia. You just need 20 minutes to make this rich, creamy pudding. It is a gluten free kheer that many can enjoy.

Javvarisi Payasam – Sago pearls are known as Javvarisi in tamil and kheer is tamil is payasam so hence the name Javvarisi Payasam. Javvarisi as it is called in Tamil or Sago or Tapioca pearls in English or Sabudana in Hindi, Sabakki in Kannada and Chowari in Malayalam.

Sago pearls are more commonly used in many parts of the world, just boil it in water mix with milk and sugar and your Sago Pudding is ready. We call it Javvarisi Payasam in Tamil, Sabudana kheer in Hindi, Sago Pudding in English and Saggubiyyam Payasam in Telugu.

The method of making Sago Payasam I’ve shared is very helpful as it can be made with or without soaking sago. Soaking sago helps in cooking it faster also gives soft sago balls in the payasam.

Sago Payasam Video

The flavoring can be changed according to ones liking. You can add cardamom powder which is the best combo for this payasam or even saffron. If you like the temple flavor in your dessert then add a pinch of edible camphor.

You can have the payasam as such or dunk few papads / medu vadas into the payasam and feast on it – yes I love it that way. Both kids love this Sago Payasam so I make it at least once a month.

You can add jaggery instead of white sugar if you prefer. But make sure to dissolve in water to remove impurities then add it. But jaggery syrup when added to hot milk may curdle the milk so simmer and then add it.

This dessert is super easy to make in just 20-25 minutes without the soaking time. This is a great way to include sago pearls in dessert form.

Sago Payasam Ingredients

• Sago – You can use any variety of sago either the bigger white variety or the smaller nylon variety. However the bigger variety is recommended.
• Milk – Use fresh full cream milk that is not skimmed or toned or processed. I’ve used fresh cows milk.
• Sugar – I have used regular white sugar for making Semiya Payasam. You can alternate sugar with jaggery powder or jaggery syrup or cane sugar and make sure to increase the quantity accordingly.
• Garnish – I always use cashews and raisins fried in ghee and use it for garnish.
• Flavoring – I have used cardamom powder for flavoring but you can use saffron strands too.

Sago Variety

• White Sago – The white variety of sago needs soaking before cooking perfect for making upma, payasam and desserts.
• Nylon Sago – Nylon variety sago looks transparent and needs no soaking at all. You can cook instantly, this can be used for payasam and desserts but not for upma.

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How to make Sago Payasam Step by Step

1.Rinse 1/2 cup sago first and drain water. I have used the bigger white variety of sago or sabudana or javvarisi.

2.Add it to a bowl, soak in water till immersing level for an hour. Soaking is really not must but it helps in cooking sago faster.

3.After one hour you can see the pearls grow in size as shown below.

4.Rinse it well and drain water completely, Set aside.

5.Add 1 and 1/2 cups of water to a pan and let it boil.

6.Once it starts to boil add drained sago pearls. Give a quick stir.

7.Cook until it turns transparent around 10 mins. Keep stirring in between to avoid burning at the bottom.

8.The pearls have become transparent as shown this is perfect.

9.Now add 2 cups milk(boiled already).

10.Give a quick mix.

11.Add 1/2 cup granulated white sugar.

12.Give a quick mix. Let it cook for around 10 mins or until thick and creamy.

13.Now it has become slightly thick.

14.To a tadka pan add 1 tablespoon ghee – add 1 tablespoon broken cashews fry until golden.

15.Add 1 tablespoon raisins.

16.Fry until it bubbles up well like shown. Now both cashews and raisins are fried well.

17.Both cashews and raisins have turned golden brown so switch off.

18.Add this to payasam.

19.Add 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder.

20.Give a quick mix.

21.Switch off. It may look running at this stage but may turn slightly thick after cooling down.

Sago Payasam is ready!

Expert Tips

• You can get the bigger variety of sago as I have used or the nylon variety too.
• It is always better to cook sago in water first then add it to milk.
• Always use full fat milk – Boil and use it.
• If you have forgotten to soak sago then rinse sago once or twice then roast it in ghee, then cook in boiling water and proceed with the steps.
• Sago payasam thickens with time so switch off accordingly or reserve 1/4 cup boiled milk to be aadded later.
• You can add a pinch of edible camphor if you like for flavouring to get that divine taste.
• You can also add 3-4 strands of saffron for extra flavour but I personally prefer cardamom flavour for this payasam.
• The same recipe can be made with jaggery also if so use 1/2 cup jaggery make a slightly thick syrup and add it but make sure to simmer to avoid milk from curdling. When milk is added to hot jaggery syrup there are chances for curdling so I make sure to cool down a bit then add it. Else you can keep the flame in low then add milk

• Soaking sago helps in easy and fast cooking. But if you are using the nylon variety sago no need to soak.
• I used full cream milk so didn’t reduce it further. If you feel your milk is little runny then let it simmer to make it thick and creamy separately then add it to cooked sago.

Serving & Storage Suggestion

Enjoy Javvarisi Payasam as a dessert after meal hot or cold as per your preference. Refrigerate for later use. Keeps well in room temperature for a day and in fridge for about 2 days.

FAQS

1.What type of Sago to use?

I have tried with both sago varieties : bigger white one and the nylon sago variety and both works well.

2.How to cook Sago?

1.Sago to be soaked for an hour then cooked in boiling water until transparent.

2.If you forget to soak sago then rinse sago well, roast it in ghee then add it to boiling water and cook.

3.Can it be made Vegan?

Yes you can replace milk with oats milk or almond milk or soya milk but make sure to add it and not boil. You can even use coconut milk but make sure to use half and half thin and thick coconut milk.

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