Long Before ACs & Cold Drinks, These Indian Foods Helped Us Beat the Heat
As temperatures climb and power bills soar, most of us reach for the nearest cold drink or crank up the AC. But Indian households once had a simpler, smarter solution: traditional summer foods designed to cool the body from the inside out.
Rooted in Ayurveda and regional wisdom, these dishes weren’t just about taste—they helped people stay hydrated, improve digestion, and beat the summer heat, all while using ingredients found in everyday kitchens.
Here are some of India’s most beloved cooling foods that deserve a second look this summer:
1. Curd rice: A southern comfort
Curd rice supports gut health and helps lower body temperature. Picture source: Shutterstock
- What it is: This dish combines cooled rice with curd and is lightly seasoned with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chillies.
- Where it’s popular: It goes by different names across the country—thayir sadam in Tamil Nadu, mosaranna in Karnataka, and dahi chawal in North India.
- Why it helps: It is packed with probiotics, supports gut health, and helps lower body temperature.
- Good to know: It’s easy to digest, refreshing to eat, and affordable, making it perfect for everyday summer meals.
2. Chaas: The quintessential summer drink
Chaas is a traditional buttermilk that is popular throughout the country. Picture source: Freepik
- What it is: This is a traditional buttermilk drink made by blending curd with water and adding spices like cumin, ginger, mint, and salt.
- Where it’s popular: It’s consumed widely, from neer mor in the South to mattha in Maharashtra.
- Why it helps: It cools the body, aids digestion, and replenishes lost fluids.
- Tip: Add crushed mint or roasted jeera to make it even more cooling.
3. Aam Panna: The tangy thirst quencher
Tangy, sweet and refreshing, Aam panna is the drink which completes summer. Picture source: Shutterstock
- What it is: This refreshing summer drink is made from boiled raw mango pulp, jaggery or sugar, cumin, and black salt.
- Why it helps: Its vitamin C and antioxidant content make it great for hydration and preventing heatstroke.
- Taste profile: The sweet, sour, and slightly spicy flavour makes it a favourite in many households.
4. Coconut water: Nature’s electrolyte
Nature’s most refreshing drink is undoubtedly coconut water. Picture source: Shutterstock
- What it is: This is the clear liquid found inside green coconuts.
- Where it’s popular: It’s a go-to drink in coastal areas but is now widely available across India.
- Why it helps: It replenishes electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, and supports digestion and skin health.
- Bonus: It’s naturally low in calories and sugar.
5. Jaljeera: A spicy cooler with a kick
Jaljeera is not just the perfect summer drink, but a nostalgic reminder of our childhood. Picture source: Freepik
- What it is: This is a tangy and spicy drink made with roasted cumin, mint, black salt, tamarind, and lemon juice.
- When to drink it: It works well as an appetiser or as a refreshing drink after a hot day.
- Why it helps: The ingredients stimulate digestion and provide cooling relief.
6. Sattu Sharbat: The protein-packed refresher
If you regularly hit the gym, sattu sharbat can be your best friend. Picture source: Shutterstock
- What it is: This is a drink made by mixing roasted gram flour (sattu) with cold water, lemon juice, and salt or jaggery.
- Where it’s from: It originates in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
- Why it helps: Its high protein and fibre content helps prevent heatstroke, energises the body, and cools from within.
- Pro tip: Ideal to drink mid-morning or post-lunch to beat the heat.
7. Panta Bhat: The fermented rice delight
A staple in several parts of Bengal, panta bhaat is a popular dish for the summers. Picture source: Pixabay
- What it is: This dish involves soaking leftover rice in water overnight and eating it the next morning with mustard oil, salt, and raw onion or green chilli.
- Where it’s popular: It’s a common summer meal in Assam, Bengal, Odisha, and parts of Bihar.
- Why it helps: It’s rich in probiotics due to natural fermentation, easy on the stomach, and very hydrating.
8. Mint: The herbal coolant
Mint leaves are a wonder for summer as it can be added to any drink to make it refreshing. Picture source: Pexels
- How to use it: You can add mint to lemon water, chaas, salads, or grind it into chutneys.
- Why it helps: The menthol in mint creates a cooling sensation and supports digestion.
- Where it works best: As a garnish or side, mint can instantly freshen up any summer dish.
Why these foods deserve a comeback
These ingredients and recipes aren’t expensive. They don’t require fancy appliances. And they’ve worked for generations, long before store-bought electrolyte drinks and freezer aisles took over.
Bringing them back into our diets is not only a delicious choice, but a sustainable one. These foods are rooted in local produce, low in waste, and rich in wisdom. They help us stay cool the natural way—and keep us connected to traditions that understood seasonal living far before it became a buzzword.
So this summer, before you reach for that fizzy drink or energy booster, try a glass of chaas. Or a bowl of curd rice. Your body — and your grandmother — would approve.
Edited by Khushi Arora
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