"Welcome the approaching summer heat with open arms, and a chilled glass of Thandai in hand!
As the sun gets warmer and days get longer, many cultures celebrate with refreshing drinks. In India, the vibrant festival of Holi heralds the arrival of summer. Holi, also known as the Festival of Colors, is a joyous celebration of spring and new beginnings. And what better way to celebrate than with the delightful beverage called thandai, perfect for beating the summer heat? As its name suggests in Hindi, meaning 'cold drink,' Thandai is a very popular choice during the hot summers that follow Holi.
But did you know that a glass of thandai can not only quench your thirst but also provide many other surprising benefits? In this blog, we are going to discover how this summer favourite packs a hidden punch. Join us as we dig deeper into the fascinating thandai benefits that you might not have known before! Also, get ready for a delightful surprise, stick with us till the end for a quick and wholesome thandai recipe to try at home. Don't miss out on the hidden treasures of thandai!
What Goes into Making the Perfect Thandai?
Imagine a drink that explodes with flavour and cools you down instantly. That's thandai, and what goes into making the perfect glass can be an interesting and fun activity. Made with a blend of amazing ingredients, thandai offers a symphony of tastes and textures, from creamy nuts to fragrant spices. Let’s find out the typical ingredients that come together to create this unique drink:
Nuts and Seeds
Almonds take the center stage in thandai, their richness complemented by the smooth creaminess of cashews and pistachios gives thandai a great velvety texture. For an extra pop, some people also add melon seeds.
Strong and Subtle Spices
Thandai's magic lies in its spices! Fennel, cardamom, pepper, and saffron add a fragrant undertone, adding depth and warmth to the cool, refreshing base of thandai.
Herbs
Fresh herbs like rose petals are the cherry on top! And they add a touch of sweetness and floral aroma to this delightful drink.
Sweeteners
To balance the bold flavours and spices, sweeteners like sugar or honey are also added to thandai.
Milk and Water
Thandai's thick creamy goodness starts with milk. It acts like a smooth and delicious base, bringing all the flavours together in a delightful mix. To adjust the thickness and richness for the perfect sip, some people even add a bit of water.
Mixing these different ingredients in just the right amounts is how we make the perfect thandai. It's a labour of love that results in a drink that's both rejuvenating and satisfying. Now that we've explored what goes into making thandai, let's dive into its amazing benefits in the next section.
7 Surprising Thandai Benefits: Your Perfect Summer Drink
Thandai is centuries old drink that goes beyond tradition. Packed with health benefits, this vibrant beverage can be your summer companion, keeping you hydrated, energized, and ready to tackle the day. Here are a few of these benefits that makes thandai your go-to summer beverage:
1. Boosts Hydration:
As temperatures rise in the summer, staying hydrated becomes increasingly important. Here’s where thandai stands out to help you cool down. Made with a blend of cold milk and water, thandai helps replenish fluids lost through sweat and balances your electrolytes. So, whenever you’re feeling too much of summer heat, let Thandai be your natural coolant.
2. Provides Adequate Nutrients:
Thandai is indeed a powerhouse drink, thanks to its rich ingredients like almonds, cashews, and pistachios! These nuts add a creamy texture and a dose of essential fats, protein, and micronutrients like vitamin E and magnesium. Spices such as cardamom, fennel, and saffron offer antioxidant benefits making thandai a wholesome beverage that nourishes the body from within.
3. Aids Digestion:
Many of the spices and herbs in thandai are known for their digestive benefits. Fennel seeds, for example, are known for their gas-relieving properties, which help alleviate bloating and indigestion. Cardamom, pepper, and saffron also help in stimulating digestive enzymes, ensuring smoother digestion and a happier gut.
4. Good for the Immune System:
Thandai is not just a treat for the taste buds, it also works wonders for the immune system. Thandai has spices like black pepper and cloves that help fight germs and inflammation, keeping you healthy and stay strong. Plus, the nuts in thandai, like almonds and pistachios, have vitamin E, which also supports immune function.
5. Boosts Energy:
Skip the sugary drinks that leave you drained. Thandai can be your natural energy companion! It provides enough energy to keep you going throughout the day, thanks to the healthy addition of nuts. Also, the natural sweetness like honey, offers a quick burst of energy, perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.
6. Detoxifies the Body:
Beyond its refreshing taste, thandai cleanses the body and helps get rid of harmful substances. Nuts, seeds, and spices all team up together to detoxify the body system. Almonds help your digestion move smoothly, while fennel seeds and cardamom support your kidneys. Moreover, thandai's cool hydrating effect helps to flush out toxins by promoting urine production, further aiding in the detoxification process.
7. Reduces Stress:
Feeling drained from daily stress? Don’t worry because our thandai has your back! KingCha’s Thandai’s is infused with soothing ingredients like saffron and rose petals to help you unwind and relax. This means you conserve energy for what truly matters, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.
So, ditch the unhealthy soft drinks and processed treats this summer and think about adding thandai to your diet. The magic of thandai goes beyond its hydrating or cooling properties. As we’ve seen, thandai boasts of many health benefits proving to be a healthier and tastier beverage choice. For many cultures, summer celebrations are incomplete without a refreshing homemade beverage, and thandai can be a perfect option.
Traditionally enjoyed during celebrations, Thandai is a refreshing homemade beverage that can be a perfect addition to your summer routine. But the real magic lies in crafting your own!
Ready to whip up your own batch of thandai goodness? We've got a simple and healthy thandai recipe waiting for you at the bottom of this post! So, grab your ingredients, follow our easy steps, and experience the wonders of thandai in your own kitchen.
How To Make Healthy Thandai At Home: Your Go-To Thandai Recipe
Looking to unlock the secret of homemade Thandai? Our easy-to-follow recipe below will guide you to prepare this delightful summer drink in no time!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of almonds
- ½ cup of cashews
- ½ cup pistachios
- 1 tbsp melon seeds
- 10 cardamom pods
- ½ tsp black peppercorns
- Pinch of saffron
- 4 cups chilled milk (whole or low-fat)
- 2-3 tbsp honey or sugar (to taste)
- Fresh rose petals (optional)
Instructions:
- Soak the almonds, cashews, and pistachios in hot water for at least 30 minutes, or until softened. Peel the almonds if desired.
- Drain the nuts and seeds. Grind them together with cardamom pods, black peppercorns, and saffron to a fine paste using a blender.
- In a large jug, combine the nut and spice paste with chilled milk. Add honey or sugar to taste.
- Strain the mixture to remove any grainy bits.
- Serve chilled over ice cubes and garnish with a sprinkle of rose petals.
No time for the hassle? Love the taste of thandai but short on time? Try our KingCha Thandai Masala! KingCha offers this exceptional summer drink in the form of convenient tea bags or loose masala. Our unique blend features poppy seeds, fennel, chironji, melon seeds, peppercorn, rose petals, and other carefully chosen ingredients, ensuring a soulful and delicious glass of thandai every time.
Thank you for reading! We hope this blog post has increased your interest in thandai and convinced you to give this refreshing and healthy summer drink a try. Make use of the summer season wisely and joyfully with a glass of thandai!
