There are various kinds of Prathamans such as Ada, pazham, parippu and palada prathamans.
In 'Ada prathaman', rice flour mixed with molasses is formed into a paste, cut into small pieces and boiled in water. To these, coconut milk and molasses are added in proportion. It is then flavored with ghee.
In 'pazham prathaman', plantain fruits of a special kind known as 'Nentra Pazham' are well boiled in water till the whole water is dried and the whole thing is reduced to a pulp by constant pressing. Then it is tempered with ghee. Coconut milk is added and the thing sweet in itself, is further sweetened with molasses. The kernel of a dried coconut, cut into small slices is boiled in ghee, and added to it.
The main ingredient used in 'parippu prathaman' is pulse. Many more kinds of prathamans are made of other articles as with Bengal gram, pumpkins etc.
In palada prathaman pieces of flour paste (ada) are boiled in milk and sweetened with sugar. No ghee or spices are added except some cardamoms.
