Cool it! Naturally

Nariyal Paani
Coconut water,also known as Nariyal Paani probably,is the best coolant. Available in abundance in every part of the country,coconut water is the first choice of every doctor and dietician. “Nariyal paani is best when consumed fresh. After some time after coming in contact with air,it starts fermenting. But nothing beats fresh coconut water,” says Aarati Pillai,nutritionist.

Aam Panna
The tropical fruit is rightly called the king of fruits in India,given its popularity and versatility it has. Among the raw mango preparations,pickles and aam panna are most popular. “Aam Panna is not only recommended for its taste,but also for health reasons,” says Harmeet Kaur Duggal,housewife,adding,“While it has a cooling effect,the pulp can also be used to treat heat stroke. The pulp if applied on the soles of the feet,the palm and around navel and left overnight can bring down the fever.”

Ingredients

6 medium sized green Mangoes,3-3/4th cup Water

1 tsp dry-roasted and grounded cumin seed,1 tsp salt,

3-tablespoon sugar,chopped mint leaves,12 crushed Ice-cubes

Method: Place the mangoes with water to cover in a pan and bring to boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Drain off the water and then peel,stone and pulp the mango with a spoon. Place the pulp in a deep bowl. Add water,sugar,salt,and cumin. Whisk thoroughly. Stir in the mint and whisk again. Transfer it to a jug. Serve chilled with crushed ice.

Neera
Ratan Kishore,who runs a Neera kiosk on the Ahmednagar Highway,says that the drink,which is basically palm nectar,is one of the quickest refreshers in the killing summer heat. “The drink contains a lot of essential nutrients that are helpful in cooling the body down,and reducing the body heat during summers,” he says. Much of the nutrient content of Neera comes from the fact that it is almost a neutral drink (neither acidic nor basic in nature),and has a high content of carbohydrates,proteins,salts,and minerals. The sweet oyster white,translucent drink,which is extracted from the inflorescence of palm trees has the tendency to bring down body temperatures by dissipating the heat and is an ideal coolant for the scorching summers.

Butter milk
One of the most common household drink,Buttermilk (Chaas) is also used as a digestive,apart from being used as a cooler during summer. Low on fats,buttermilk is prepared in two ways – first,by removing all fats from the milk the residue is used as butter milk and second is by adding water and salt to curd. In both the cases,the product is low on fats. “In many households,it is compulsorily consumed after every meal. The best form of butter milk is when it is consumed plain with salt and coriander leaves. In south,we prepare buttermilk for the day and keep it in earthen pots,which makes is cool,” says Iyer.

Ingredients

Two tablespoonfuls of curd,Half-teaspoon salt,Half-teaspoon cumin seed powder,Sugar (optional)

Method: Take the curd in a bowl and beat it,add one glass of cold water and mix it well

Nimbu Paani
The good ol’ Nimbu Paani’s popularity can be gauged by the fact that many carbonated drinks makers have also launched their products with the nimbu paani flavour. However,the original still rules the roost. Known for its many advantages the humble drink still remains a classic with the masses. Amba Das,who puts a stall on Moledina Road,says,“I have been selling nimbu paani and soda since past three years. Now I completely understand the advantage of this drink. Due to excessive sweating during summer people lose lot of important salts from the body,nimbu paani helps restore that. Also people get tired due to the low glucose levels in the summers,so the sweet nimbu pani also gives instant energy apart from cooling the body. And the drink also helps in loosing weight and so it is better than carbonated drinks. One of my customers told me that vitamin C in lemon also helps build immune system – this makes it the best drink to have during summers.”

Method: Add half lemon juice to one glass of water,

1/4th teaspoon salt,half-teaspoon sugar,crushed ice.

Kokum Sherbet
Kokum,a fruit found in the Konkan belt,is used both as cooler and an antacid,so its use is not restricted to summers. Its use goes up during the summers,given its quality of beating the heat. “It is a healthy substitute for carbonated or caffeine laced drinks and is a great acidity reliever,” says Radha Iyer,housewife,who also recommends Khus Sherbet and buttermilk.

Method: Soak seven to eight semidried Kokums in one glass of cold water and leave for one hour,drain the water,mix some sugar,cumin seed powder and rock salt.

Sugarcane juice
Sugarcane juice is recommended for instant energy requirement. “While it restores the lost glucose,which is important during summers. Because we tend to drink more during summers,glucose level goes down. Sugarcane juice is easily available and is affordable. It is also recommended by doctors for jaundice patients,because it helps bring down the heat in the body,” says Gautam Raskar,owner of a sugarcane juice bar in camp.