Bhubaneswar: We have already started feeling the unbearable heat with above 40 degree Celsius temperature in Odisha capital.
Odisha has a whole lot of healthy and tasty drinks for the summer, which can be can be easily prepared at home. They can also be easily found in the market.
Quench your thirst with these refreshing summer drinks in place of cold drinks.
Bela Pana
Though ‘Bela Pana’ is prepared on the occasion of Odia New Year or Pana Sankranti, it is good for health during summer.
Bela Pana is available at various places in the Odisha capital.
This delicious taste will leave you refreshed instantly.
It is full of medicinal qualities. It is prepared by mashing the Bela pulp with water and mixing chhena, mashed banana, grated coconut along with black peeper powder and other spices.
Bhima Muduli of Bharatpur village comes to the state capital during this season every year. He has set up a stall in Jagannath Vihar.
“We are selling Bela Pana for Rs 10 per glass. Bela Pana is in great demand now. We have to always keep prepare three to four ‘handis’ every day. People are demanding Bela Pana in the evening time also,” said Bhima.
The Pana keeps the body cool.
Pudina Sharbat
You will feel refreshed and relaxed after a sip of healthy refreshing drink Pudina Sarbat in a summer afternoon.
This is prepared by blending mint, ginger and green chilly together and then adding yogurt, water, lime juice and salt into it. Top it with some ice cubes.
It is available at Rs 5 per glass near Naa Tala area here. As it is cheap and health, this too is in great demand.
Mango Juice
Mango is a seasonal fruit and consuming it in summer is a healthy option.
Suraj from Uttar Pradesh comes to the Odisha capital every year during summer to sell the juice of this seasonal fruit.
He uses mango, milk, ice and sugar to make this juice.
“I sell the juice at Rs 10 per glass. I sell around 400 glasses every day. This is really a profitable seasonal business,” said Suraj.
Mango juice is available at many places in the Odisha capital. Satyabrat Barik also sells mango juice at Rs 10 per glass in Ashok Nagar.
Tender Coconut Water
Another healthy drink in summer is green coconut water, which is available at Rs 20 to Rs 25 during summer. It is one of the best drinks to combat the summer heat.
Tanka Torani
Tanka Torani is one of the best and the most popular summer drinks in Odisha. All those who have visited the Jagannath Temple at Puri must have tasted this drink served in small earthen pots.
It is prepared in cooked rice, water, curd, roasted cumin powder and salt.
Watermelon Juice
Watermelon is a delicious fruit that makes for a refreshing treat during summer. You can have watermelon or the juice to beat the heat. It also revives our body from the scorching heat.
Watermelon is available here at many place at Rs 20 to Rs 30 per kg.
“Watermelon is the favourite of most people. We earn Rs 4,000 to 5,000 per day by selling it,” said Bhima, who sells watermelon near Jagannath Vihar here.
Sugarcane Juice
Sugarcane contains a large amount of glucose along with other compounds. A glass of sugarcane juice can boost your energy, which is available in the market at Rs 10.
You can find sugarcane juice in every corner of the city.
Lassi
There is nothing that can beat a glass of cold Lassi on a sweltering summer afternoon.
Many Lassi stalls have been set up in Odisha capital and the price is Rs 30 to Rs 60 per glass.
One can find many Lassi stalls near Kalpana Square in Bhubaneswar.
Lingaraj Lassi in Shahid Nagar area here is very famous among the people. Mouthwatering Rabidi Lassi is very popular in Lingaraj Lassi stall.
Lime Juice
Lemon is easily available at affordable rates. Though lemon juice can be made at home easily during summer, it is also available in the market.
“Lime juice is in great demand during summer. I sell it at Rs 5 per glass. I easily sell around 300 glasses of lemon juice daily,” said Banil Das.
He has a stall near the Unit-1 market area here.
All these drinks are any day better than aerated and packed drinks that have a lot of preservatives in them and are not good for health.
