The summer is upon us, and needless to say, we are in constant quest for something chilled and refreshing. So far, we have tried almost every kind of smoothie and shake that we have seen on Instagram, but if you are a true desi at heart, you would know that summers are quite incomplete for us without some cool sherbets. Rose to phalsa, bel to khus, we have a knack for using seasonal fruits and herbs, to make ourselves a sweet, soul-satisfying beverage that we dearly refer to as a 'sherbet'. If you have grown up in the Konkan region, you are no stranger to the sensation of kokum fruit, widely used to make, you guess it right - the kokum sherbet.
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Phalse ka sharbat is a famous summer drink
Kokum is a beautiful, dark-purple coloured fruit indigenous to the Western Ghats. The fruit belongs to the family of mangosteen, the exotic fruit of Thailand. Farmers have been cultivating the fruit for thousands of years. The tarty flavour of the fruits makes it incredible for snacking. The fruit is loaded with antioxidants that fight free radicals. The fruit is available through the summer months.
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Kulluki sarbath is a popular summer drink in South India
Here are some benefits of kokum sherbet:
1. It is one of the best drinks to have during summer as it helps in maintaining body temperature by reducing heat. It also prevents you from heatstrokes and keeps you hydrated, says Divya R, Senior Executive Nutritionist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Jayanagar, Bangalore.
2. Its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant properties make it a wonderful drink to manage many chronic infections and diseases.
Kokum is the main ingredient in solkadi
Photo Credit: iStock
3. "Kokum aids in weight loss as it tends to acts as appetite suppressant", says Divya, who also warned us about consuming the drink in moderation and keeping sugar out of the equation.
4. "An enzyme known as elastase, which breaks down the fibre called elastin that keeps your skin supple, is mostly responsible for this effect. But kokum may help keep your skin young and supple by inhibiting the activity of elastase", writes Dietician Lovneet Batra writes in her book '50 Desi Super Drinks'
5. In a section dedicated to Kokum Sharbat, Lovneet further writes that the sharbat is incredible for women facing troubles with Menstrual cycles. "kokum is known to regularize the menstrual cycle. It has a calming effect on your digestive tract, helping to regulate bowel movement", the book notes.
6. The antioxidant garcinol preset in kokum also helps in fighting inflammation and reducing rheumatoid pain, as per Ms Batra.
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Wondering how to make natural, preservative-free kokum sherbet at home? Here's a delish recipe of kokum sherbet.
(This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)