Are you struggling to handle the summer heat?
Looking for ways to cool down?
Look no further!
Maharashtra’s traditional summer drinks are here to save the day. These refreshing beverages not only help in keeping your body cool but also give you a taste of the region’s rich culinary heritage.
The Need for Summer Drinks
Summers in many parts of the world, especially in regions like Maharashtra, can be extremely harsh. High temperatures and intense humidity can quickly lead to dehydration. When we sweat, our bodies lose essential fluids and electrolytes, which are vital for maintaining bodily functions. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and in severe cases, heatstroke. Staying hydrated is essential, and what better way to do that than with delicious, traditional drinks? These summer beverages are crafted to restore hydration levels, replenish lost electrolytes, and provide a refreshing break from the scorching heat.
One of the main benefits of summer drinks is their ability to cool down the body. Many traditional beverages are crafted using ingredients known for their cooling properties. For example, drinks made from raw mangoes, kokum, and buttermilk are specifically designed to lower body temperature and provide relief from the heat. These ingredients help in absorbing heat and reducing the overall temperature of the body, making you feel cooler and more comfortable.
Summer drinks are often packed with essential vitamins and minerals that help keep the body functioning optimally. These authentic summer beverages not only help in cooling the body but also boost immunity, improve digestion, and enhance overall health. By incorporating these drinks into your daily routine, you ensure that your body gets the nutrients it needs to cope with the summer heat.
The summer heat can often slow down digestion and cause discomfort. Many traditional summer drinks are designed to aid digestion and keep the digestive system functioning smoothly.
Apart from their health benefits, summer drinks are incredibly refreshing and energizing. They provide a quick burst of energy and rejuvenation, making them perfect for hot, tiring days. The natural sweetness and refreshing flavors of these drinks make them a delightful way to stay hydrated and cool.
Sol Kadhi: Sip Your Way to Coolness
Feeling the heat after a hearty meal? Sol Kadhi is the perfect solution.
This refreshing drink, a staple in Konkani cuisine, is made from kokum fruit and coconut milk. The natural cooling properties of kokum, combined with the creamy texture of coconut milk, help soothe your digestive system and lower your body temperature. Packed with antioxidants, Sol Kadhi is not only incredibly refreshing but also offers numerous health benefits. Kokum promotes weight loss by curbing appetite, improves digestion, and keeps acidity at bay. Additionally, the antioxidants in Sol Kadhi boost skin health during the summer, making it as healthy as it is a refreshing and delicious beverage.
Solkadhi (Source: Slurpp)
Piyush: The Creamy Delight
Need a rich and creamy drink to cool down? Piyush is your go-to beverage.
Piyush, a delightful Maharashtrian drink, continues to be a favorite across generations, enjoyed by everyone from the elderly to the young. This creamy beverage, made from buttermilk and shrikhand—a sweetened strained yogurt—is flavored with cardamom and nutmeg. The buttermilk base helps maintain body temperature and provides excellent hydration, while the addition of shrikhand gives it a luxurious, creamy texture, making it a treat for your taste buds while keeping you cool. Tambe Arogya Bhuvan in Dadar, a beloved establishment since before India gained independence, is the birthplace of Piyush. It was in the Tambe kitchen that the recipe for Piyush was first created, named for its nectar-like taste. Even today, the family upholds their tradition, adding only nutmeg and saffron without any artificial coloring, ensuring that Piyush remains a timeless and beloved drink.
Piyush (Source: Google)
Tambe Aarogya Bhuvan, Dadar, Mumbai (Souce: mid-day.com)
Neera: Nature’s Sweet Gift
Looking for a natural, sweet drink to refresh yourself? Try Neera, a delightful, unfermented sap extracted from the palm tree and consumed fresh.
This natural coolant is rich in vitamins and minerals, helping to rehydrate your body and maintain electrolyte balance. Harvested from local palm trees, Neera offers a unique and sweet escape from the summer heat. Neera Kendra stalls, easily spotted along highways and in every nook of smaller – bigger towns, offer this nutritious and healthy alternative to aerated beverages. Neera does not contain any alcohol, so it is often referred to as sweet toddy. It has a shelf life of about 6-8 hours when kept in cold storage. However, due to natural yeasts in the air, Neera can undergo natural fermentation within a few hours of extraction, turning into toddy (palm wine) with about 4% alcohol content.
Neera is collected early in the morning at sunrise, and it is best consumed in the first half of the day before it begins to ferment. This drink not only hydrates the body and keeps it cool but also improves digestion. As a natural probiotic, Neera promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, helping to prevent digestive problems and improve overall digestive health during summer.
Neera collected from Palm Tree (Source: The Hindu)
Neera shops (Source: Ambrosia Wellness)
Tak (Mattha): The Traditional Cooler
Craving something light and savory? Tak, also known as buttermilk, is just what you need.
This savory drink, made from yogurt and water, is seasoned with spices like cumin and salt. Buttermilk is a natural coolant that aids digestion and keeps you hydrated and cool. It’s a staple in many Maharashtrian households, offering a simple yet effective way to beat the heat.
Tak or Mattha (Source: Slurp)
Kairiche Panhe: The Mango Marvel
Feeling nostalgic for the taste of raw mangoes? Kairiche Panhe is here to delight you.
This sweet and tangy drink is a summer favorite. It is prepared using raw mangoes, jaggery, and spices. Raw mangoes and jaggery work together to cool the body and prevent dehydration. This drink not only refreshes but also replenishes lost salts, making it a perfect companion during the hot months.
The name ‘Kairiche Panhe’ originates from ‘Kairi,’ which means raw mango in Marathi, the regional language of Maharashtra. This seasonal drink is prepared during the summer when raw mangoes are in season. It features a blend of boiled raw mango pulp, jaggery, and a subtle hint of cardamom and saffron, providing great relief from the sweltering heat. This tasty and tangy summer delight is incredibly easy to make. The best part is you can prepare a concentrate, store it in the refrigerator, and make the drink simply by adding water whenever you want a refreshing treat.
Kairiche Panhe (Source: Slurp)
Kokum Sharbat: The Tangy Thirst-Quencher
Need a drink that’s both tangy and refreshing? Kokum Sharbat is the answer.
Made from kokum fruit, sugar, and cumin seeds, this drink is known for its cooling properties. Kokum helps reduce body heat and aids in digestion, making it an excellent choice for hot days. This beverage is a testament to the ingenious use of regional ingredients to combat the heat.
Kokam Sharbat (Source: Slurp)
Summer drinks are more than just a way to quench your thirst. Traditional beverages of Maharashtra are excellent examples of how regional ingredients can be used to create drinks that are not only delicious but also highly effective in combating the summer heat.
So, the next time the temperatures soar, reach for one of these traditional summer drinks and enjoy a cool, refreshing taste of health and heritage. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and beat the heat with these wonderful beverages!
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