Thandai-Our traditional drink during HOLI-Yes or No?

The Indian festival of “HOLI” is all about eating good food and playing with bright colours. Holi is a spring festival. It is also known as the festival of LOVE, festival of Happiness! Being one of our favorite Indian festivals, the desire is absolutely justified. During this festival we have chilled mouth-watering spicy yet sweet thandai, but did we ever give a thought whether is it healthy or not?

Let’s dig deep into the glass of thandai to know what goes in making this drink so interesting!

1. Helps Fight Indigestion, Loss of Energy & Common Cold

Thandai marks the beginning of summer in India. Thandai has every spice and ingredient that is required by our body to maintain good health during the season change. Our body is prone to loss of energy, indigestion and catching common cold around Holi. Nuts and dry fruits in Thandai give us energy, spices like black pepper and clove increase immunity, boost metabolism and help us fight infections while rose petals, fennel and saffron prevent indigestion. A mix of richness, the heat from spices and the cooling effect of rose and fennel seeds makes up this perfect cold beverage for the hot summer.

2. Loaded with Energy boosters

A mixture of ground almonds, pistachios and melon or pumpkin seeds are added to give body enough energy when your body feels drained by the summer heat.

Almonds

Almonds are full of good fats and protein. It is also rich in vitamin E making it great for your skin and hair. Almonds are good for the heart. Being rich in fiber they also help in weight loss.

Pistachios

Pistachios help in haemoglobin production because they are rich in vitamin B6. This vitamin also boosts the immunity, so you are less likely to catch a cold when the season changes. Like almonds, they are rich in fiber and Vitamin E, so they make you look good!

Watermelon Seeds (Magaz) or Pumpkin Seeds

While watermelon and pumpkin seeds, both, are a great source of energy and a good source of protein and fiber, these seeds are very rich in vitamins and minerals. Watermelon seeds for instance, are rich in iron while pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc.

3.Cooling Effect and Better Digestion in the Summer

The beginning of summer along with all those fried snacks during Holi can often lead to indigestion and over heating of the body. Apart from playing with water and colours to cool the body, we must drink thandai to cool our body temperature from the inside. Special cooling ingredients are therefore added to thandai to regulate and balance the body heat.

Poppy Seeds (khus-khus)

Poppy seeds are frequently used in Indian cooking as well as medicine for their cooling effect on the body. They are rich in minerals like iron, phosphorus and zinc. In the summer, they are very helpful in quenching thirst and also help during constipation and irritation of the abdomen.

Fennel (Saunf)

Fennel seeds helps in cooling the body from the inside. Even fennel soaked in water can be sipped in the summer to keep the body cool. Fennel keeps the body internally cool and also is anti-flatulence. Fennel is also good for digestion.

Rose Petals/ Rose Water

Not only are rose petals extremely fragrant and add to the flavor of the thandai, they are also good during indigestion. Rose petals too have a cooling effect on the body and prevent the body temperature from rising during the summer.

Mishri (unprocessed rock sugar)

Mishri not only sweetens the drink but also prevents and cures cough, cold and throat infection. During the beginning of summer, you and I are most likely to catch a cold. Mishri in thandai will prevent and cure this.

4.Cow or buffalo Milk

Milk from cow or buffalo is actually good for us. It is rich in calcium,vitamin D and vitamin K. It has good quality protein and is also rich in vitamin B12. If you are unable to get or tolerate milk then you can use almond milk or coconut milk to make your thandai. Substitute Coconut Milk or Almond Milk for Vegans.

5. Spicy flavor Boosts Immunity During Season Change

Peppercorns

Pepper boosts our immunity and help us fight cold. It has antibacterial properties and helps fight infections. It is also good for digestion. When pepper is added along with other herbs and spices such as turmeric, it also helps increase the absorption and benefits from the other spices. Along with medicinal properties, it is rich in zinc, iron, calcium and vitamin A.

Cloves

Cloves like peppercorns have medicinal properties that make them a great addition to thandai. Cloves also boost immunity and aid in better digestion during the summer. Apart from this, they are rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Cloves are especially good for bones and teeth.

Green Cardamom (Choti Elaichi)

Cardamom helps fight infection, detoxifies the body and is specially good for nausea and vomiting. It is also useful as a mouth freshener.

Saffron (Kesar)

Saffron is also considered to be a powerful anti-septic and therapeutic spice. Not only does it give a rich flavor to the thandai but also helps in better digestion during the summertime.

You can also add turmeric along with saffron to your thandai to boost its health benefits even more.

Do try out this recipe below and let me know how it turns out!

INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup (100gms) almonds 1/2 cup (100gms) pistachio 1/2 cup (100gms) Melon & Pumpkin Seeds (Magaz) 2 tbsp(30gms) Poppy seeds (khuskhus) 1 tbsp(15gms) black pepper (kalimirch) 1 tbsp (15 gms) fennel seeds (saunf) 1 tbsp (15gms) clove (laung) 1 tbsp edible rose petals desi gulab or rose essence 1 tbsp green cardamom (chhoti elaichi) few strands saffron kesar 1 cup (200gms)mishri unprocessed rock sugar 1 1/2 Litre Cow's Milk or Substitute Coconut Milk/ Almond Milk

Method:-

1. In a grinder, add almonds, pistachio, melon & pumpkin seeds and poppy seeds. Grind into a fine powder.
2. Add all the spices to the nuts and seeds powder and grind into a fine powder.
3. Sieve the powder to a thin powdery texture. Save the leftover pieces for garnish.
4. Mix 3 tablespoons of thandai powder in 1 1/2 cup milk. Pour from height from one glass to the other, until it is properly mixed.
5. Garnish with rose petals, crushed almonds and saffron.
6. Serve chilled or with ice cubes.

Thandai is no doubt a magic bullet for ailments. The spices and dry fruits in it make it a great immune booster, and give it special digestive properties, improving bowel movement and helping the body detox naturally.

BUT BE CAREFUL

Now we need to talk about bhang and sugar.

Bhang in small amounts helps relieve anxiety and cut fatigue.It also boosts appetite, but used in excess, its ill-effects can be many — it increases the heart rate that causes psychosis and high blood pressure, and may also lower your metabolic rate. Besides, of course, well-published side-effects like disorientation and hallucinations. It’s better to have thandai without it.

We all already know the ill effects of excess sugar, so don't go overboard with it.And, finally, it is best to make thandai fresh (instead of buying the bottled variety) as this way you can control the ingredients and get the most benefit.

And while we are at it, let me implore you to give other traditional drinks a serious thought too! They can do our body a lot of good.

HAPPY AND A SAFE HOLI!