Take a chill pill, shall we? One of the many beautiful traditional beverages that can be found in India is called thandai. Unfortunately, many of us miss the thandai season, which begins on Holi. What is thandai? Thandai is an instant sweet thirst quencher & answer to the scorching temperatures of the summer & the best meal during fasting, navratras.
A glass of chilled thandai not only relaxes you from the inside out but also offers several health benefits of thandai in summers that no other beverage can match. So let's get started.
Thandai: A Non-Alcoholic Beverages With Traditional Touch
Thandai is an age-old Indian beverage combining nuts, seeds, spices & herbs. The main thandai ingredients are almonds, pistachios, cashews, poppy seeds, fennel seeds, black pepper, cardamom, rose petals, saffron, and milk. The ingredients are ground to a fine paste and mixed with milk, sugar, and sometimes ice to make a rich and creamy drink.
How To Make Thandai
Thandai is made by soaking the ingredients in water for a few hours to soften them. Next, the ingredients are soaked, crushed into a fine paste, and combined with milk, sugar, and sometimes ice. After being strained to eliminate any chunks, the beverage is chilled and served. Thandai is typically served with a sprinkling of almonds or rose petals and is presented in a glass or clay pot.
The following are some of the most frequent kinds of thandai recipes; however, the precise thandai ingredients and preparation method can vary based on the region of India and the family - thandai recipe (with sugar or sugar-free, natural drinks for summers).
- Traditional Thandai
Traditional thandai is made with nuts and seeds, including almonds, pistachios, and poppy seeds, and a blend of spices, including fennel, cardamom, black pepper, and nutpowderedake powder mix ingredients and combine them with milk, sugar, and rose water. This style of thandai is commonly consumed during the Holi festival in India.
- Bhang Thandai
Thandai can also be infused with bhang, an Indian cannabis preparation, to make bhang thandai. It's commonly used during the Holi celebration because of the widespread belief that it has hallucinogenic properties. The bhang leaves are often ground into a paste and combined with the other thandai components to create bhang thandai.
- Badam Thandai
Badam thandai (Almond drink powder thandai), prepared with almonds, is a regional favorite in northern India. After being soaked overnight, the almonds are mashed into a paste with other spices like cardamom and saffron. After that, milk, sugar, and rose water are added to the mix.
- Kesar Thandai
Kesar thandai, thandai with saffron added, is a popular beverage during India's scorching summers. The saffron is soaked in milk or water to extract its color and flavor before being combined with the rest of the thandai.
- Chocolate Thandai
An updated take on the traditional thandai recipe, chocolate thandai is made by adding cocoa powder or chocolate syrup. This thandai is common fare at gatherings and parties frequented by young people.
Is Thandai Ready to Eat?
Thandai powder is a blend of spices, nuts, and seeds to prepare a traditional Indian drink. Thandai is made by mixing thandai powder with milk, sugar, and sometimes water and blending or stirring until smooth. The thandai powder gives the drink a nutty, flowery, and creamy taste. Chopped nuts or dried rose petals provide color and texture to thandai.
The Nutrition Profile Of Thandai
In Ayurveda, thandai is a nutrient-rich food with various health advantages. Here's a look at the nutrition profile of thandai:
- Calories: Thandai typically has 200–300 calories, depending on the recipe and ingredients. Milk and nuts supply most of these calories, a creamy texture, and essential elements.
- Protein: Thandai is high in protein, with 6-8 grams per serving. Thandai contains protein-rich milk and almonds for tissue regeneration.
- Fat: Thandai is a high-fat beverage, with each serving typically containing around 10-15 grams. Most of this fat comes from the recipe's nuts and seeds, which include heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.
- Carbohydrates: Thandai has 20-30 grams of carbs per serving. The recipe's sugar provides carbs and energy.
- Fiber: Each serving of thandai contains 2-3 grams of fiber—Fiber-rich nuts and seeds in the recipe aid digestion and blood sugar regulation.
- Vitamins and minerals: Thandai contains various vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin E, and B vitamins. These nutrients are found in thandai's milk and almonds.
Thandai Benefits: Indian Desi Drinks As Summer Refreshers
The following are many of thandai's benefits:
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Provide Hydration
Drinking thandai can be a great way to beat the heat and stay hydrated, especially in the summer. It's also an excellent way to rehydrate after strenuous activity or a long day at the workplace.
- Having A Chilling Effect
Thandai can help cool you down when you drink it, making it a great beverage to sip during the hot summer. Milk mixed with cooling herbs like fennel and rose petals can help bring down body temperature and relieve heat exhaustion.
- Aids In Digestion
Many digestive spices, including fennel, cardamom, and black pepper, go into the preparation of thandai, which may aid digestion and lessen flatulence. These spices are also valuable for preventing digestive issues like bloating and gas.
- Antioxidants Rich
Almonds, pistachios, and poppy seeds are some of the antioxidant-rich nuts and seeds used to make thandai. Several diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, may be avoided if these antioxidants protect the body.
- Energy Booster
Thandai is an energy-rich beverage with plenty of protein and beneficial fats. It's a fantastic method of giving yourself a nutrient-rich energy boost and ensuring your body can perform at its best.
- Gives Relaxation
Thandai has been used for centuries for its calming and soothing effects. Herbs like poppy seeds and saffron can help calm nerves and ease the tension when added to the mix.
Consideration To Be Taken
There are some factors to note when consuming thandai, despite its many Ayurveda health benefits. These are:
- Allergies: Some people are allergic to nuts and seeds in thandai, such as almonds and poppy seeds. A person taking thandai should be aware of any dietary allergens they may have.
- Sugar Content: Sugar or honey is often used to sweeten thandai, which can significantly increase the calorie and sugar content. Therefore, it is recommended that those managing their sugar intake or trying to lose weight consume thandai in moderation and select a low-sugar or sugar-free variety.
- Quality: Thandai is only as good as its components. Therefore it's best to use organic, high-quality ones wherever possible. It can help you reap the beverage's full range of health benefits.
- Dosage: Thandai should be consumed in moderation and following the suggested dosage, as with any dietary supplement or herbal medicine. Side effects from thandai overdose include feeling sick, throwing up, and passing out.
- Medication Interactions: Thandai can cause drug interactions due to nutmeg and poppy seeds. If you are currently on any drugs, you should check with your doctor to see if it is safe for you to consume thandai.
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Thandai not only keeps you cool in the summer, but it also keeps you healthy. So get your Namhya Natural Almond Drink order now and come in to taste its freshness.
