‘Panaka’ – Even in the age of aerated drinks, ‘Panaka’ is the perfect summer cooling drink, which is unbeatable.
Traditionally in South India, on Rama Navami (marking the birth of Prabhu Sri Rama) ‘Panaka’ is prepared and offered to God, before serving it to the devotees as ‘Prasada’. The devotees gather in the temple, sing ‘Bhajans’ and ‘Keerthanas’ in the name of Prabhu Sri Rama.
Coming from the health point of view, this is a perfect, healthy coolant to be consumed in the hot summer months. The iron and potassium rich jaggery, antioxidants rich ginger, the tangy taste of lemon amalgamating well with the sweetness of jaggery, spiciness of pepper and the flavors of cardamom, makes this beverage unique and an instant energy booster during the summers. And most importantly, this is never prepared in glasses! But in a large vessel! As no one can settle down with a single glass of this summer drink!
Other healthy summer beverages that may interest you :
Getting into the recipe:
Ingredients:
Water: 3 cups
Pepper (powdered): A pinch
Jaggery (powdered): 0.5 cup
Lemon: Juice extracted from 1 large lemon
Dry ginger powder: a pinch (Optional)
Salt: A pinch
Cardamom: 2 (powdered)
Method:
- In 3 cups of water, dissolve 0.5 cup of jaggery
- Add lemon juice to it and mix well
- Next, add the pepper powder, dry ginger poder, salt and cardamom powder. Mix well
- Optionally, for some good flavour, you may add tulsi or basil leaves before serving
Panaka Stories:
As kids, we used to learn classical Carnatic music. Every year for Rama Navami, we used to participate in Competitions and recitals in near by temples. Back then, our main motivation to participate in these competitions were the prizes, Prasada and Panaka offered at the end. And somehow, the taste of Prasada and Panaka offered at temples could never be replicated back home. That is an emotion, so to say, which we remember and cherish even to this day.
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