What are the benefits of shikanji masala?

Shikanja, meaning "trap," is the root of the word Shikanji. It is identified as a small wooden contraption required to squeeze lemons. 

Shikanji masala powder is made by roasting and then grinding some of the spices that are used daily in a typical Indian household. The spices include coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns. The ground spices are kept separately, and after it cools down, we add chaat masala, black salt, and regular salt to the ground mixture. Now, the shikanji masala is finally ready to be added to the Shikanji.

Shikanji masala improves digestion and is also tangy in taste, which is a refreshing drink. Shikanji is one of the most preferred and best summer drinks. 

Along with Shikanji as one of the best summer drinks, we also have other best summer drinks that work well to beat the scorching summer heat and humidity.

Shikanji recipe includes a few lemons, salt, and sugar. To improve the taste further, we add shikanji masala to the shikanji recipe.

To prepare masala shikanji, the shikanji recipe includes lemons, sugar, water, ginger, and shikanji masala and ginger.

The ingredients of the shikanji recipe are processed as follows: Pour a glass of water into a bowl. Squeeze fresh lemon juice in a bowl. Add three spoons of sugar to it and stir it well, so it completely dissolves with the lemon water. Add the shikanji masala and stir it well again. 

Stirring is important to get a perfect diluted drink. Finally, add ice cubes to the shikanji recipe and refrigerate it. We recommend keeping it in the refrigerator until you are back home from a tiring day. Shikanji is extremely palate pleasing when it is chilled.

Technically, there is a difference between Lemonade and Shikanji. The Shikanji recipe is different from that of the lemonade recipe. We add sugar, salt, and only lemon juice to prepare a lemonade, whereas we add other spices besides sugar, salt, and lemon in the shikanji recipe.

The real taste of shikanji lies in the shikanji masala. The shikanji masala should be prepared strongly to get the tangy and sweet taste of the shikanji. 

Benefits of Shikanji masala

• An antioxidant

Due to its antioxidant properties, shikanji occupies the first position in the list prepared for the best summer drinks. Lemon's alkaline nature shields the cells from oxidation due to its high vitamin C content. To the shikanji recipe, we can also add ginger. Ginger is an antioxidant that beats the summer heat well and is a healthy summer drink. Ginger is rich in vitamin C. It helps in sweating, thereby helping remove toxins from the body. Shikanji is a favorite drink of people in summer.

• Natural Coolant

It is also considered a natural coolant. It prevents the loss of electrolytes due to sweating. It adds freshness and salts to the body. It also keeps the body well-hydrated. Shikanji is anti-inflammatory and prevents us from getting sunstroke as well. It is also a natural coolant because as temperatures rise, it is necessary to keep the body cool and hydrated.

• Aids in Digestion

Ginger should be included in the shikanji recipe also because ginger has the property of solving stomach problems. It helps in digestion and controls bloating. Ginger is rich in vitamin C. It also helps in sweating, thereby helping remove toxins from the body. Ginger is added to the shikanji recipe because it helps to fight infections. Hence Shikanji is also a healthy drink in addition to being the favorite drink of Indians in summer. 

• Weight Loss

It is also known for weight loss. Weight loss is not concerned with only summer drinks, but as we prefer shikanji during summer, it is a helpful drink to lose weight. Shikanji helps us to keep full for a long time. It suppresses hunger, hence helping us in losing weight.

• Nutrient Booster

Shikanji is rich in various vitamins; especially vitamin C. Shikanji recipe is prepared in such a way so that it work as a nutrient booster. Shikanji recipe also contains the necessary minerals. We add ginger water (gingerol) to the shikanji recipe because gingerols have analgesic, sedative, antipyretic, and antibacterial properties. Thus, it acts as a nutrient booster.

Nimbu shikanji is a refreshing drink made using lime juice, shikanji masala powder, and club soda. There is a difference in the preparation of Nimbu Shikanji and Shikanji. Ingredients are the same except for club soda. We do not include club soda in the shikanji recipe. Shikanji masala is added in nimbu shikanji as well as masala shikanji but we add club soda in nimbu shikanji  whereas do not add club soda in masala shikanji. 


Also Read: The 10 Most Nutrient-Dense Foods

Other best summer drinks and their benefits

• Aam Panna

Aam Panna is added to the list of best summer drinks. It is made of raw lemon. We can add cumin, mint leaves, black salt, and a pinch of sugar. It is a drink that both kids and adults love. We generally drink it when we go out to work in the heat. It protects us from the sun's harmful rays, thereby from heatstroke. It is also a refreshing drink and energizer. 

• Masala Chaas

The category of the best summer drinks includes the traditional masala chaas in India. It is also known as buttermilk. It is made of curd. We need to add curd to a mixture grinder and add water to it. For taste and the extra cooling effect, we add salt and jeera powder to it.

Like other summer drinks, masala chaas also give a refreshing effect and cool down our bodies. As we sweat a lot during summer, an excess amount of sweat is shed. Drinking masala chaas balances our body by adding salt to our body.

• Water Melon Juice 

Adding to one of the best summer drinks i.e. Shikanji, we also have watermelon juice. Watermelon juice not only keeps our body hydrated but also provides our body with powerful antioxidants and essential vitamins. It also has high water content in comparison to the other fruits. Its name itself suggests it. Additionally, it aids in the body's detoxification process. It has several advantages to beat the summer heat and other vital effects which work well during summer, hence considering it working well as the best summer drink.  

• Pink Lemonade

When choosing the best summer drinks, most people go for lemonade. It is an easy drink, prepared at home without much effort. It is rich in vitamin C. It contains lemon, which is an antioxidant. The antioxidants help in beating heat and tiredness. We feel fresh, energetic, and cool after drinking it. It is also available on the streets. We might feel low sometimes on the streets, but we can drink it as it is available on the streets.

Sometimes, we drink pink lemonade. Pink lemonade adds the flavor of rose syrup along with the mint leaves, which act as antioxidants. It helps in flushing out extra toxins from the body through sweat.

• Refreshing Plum Drinks

Drinking fruit juices is advantageous during summer. Enhancing the best summer drinks, we also have a refreshing plum drink. It has several benefits like helping improve digestion and maintaining electrolyte balance. We can also add milk to the plum drink, to give it a refreshing, tangy taste. You can also add salt, sugar, and other necessary spices. These are all options if you want to spice up the juices. Plum juice suits the best in summer with all the qualities of other best summer drinks.

• Jal Jeera

As the name of the drink suggests, it is made of cumin seeds and water. It is also one of the best summer drinks prepared at home. Jal jeera helps to solve digestion problems, acidity, heartburn, etc which are common summer problems.

Jal jeera helps to reduce the frequency of such problems. It is also low in calories. It detoxifies the body and gives it a cooling effect. As these advantages are present in jal jeera, it is therefore considered one of the best summer drinks prepared at home.

• Virgin Cucumber Cooler

Refreshing best summer drinks also include a Virgin cucumber cooler. It keeps you hydrated throughout the day. It can be prepared at home within 10 minutes. The preparations for it are not a fuss at all. The tangy, citrusy drink with mint leaves and soda, mint, and basil keeps us hydrated and cool. We are protected from the hectic summer heat.

Cucumber has cooling effects. Therefore, when we prepare its juice with extra cooling herbs, it acts more efficiently. It possesses all the ingredients necessary for the best summer drinks and acts as another best summer drink. 

• Sattu ka Sharbat (roasted gram flour juice)

Further extrapolating on the best summer drinks, consider sattu ka sharbat a good summer-beating drink. Sattu ka sharbat is known for its cooling properties. It contains essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. It solves various stomach problems and helps remove various toxins from the body. It keeps our body hydrated, fresh, and energized by regaining the lost strength due to high sweating in summer. 

Conclusion

Summer drinks are drunk almost throughout the year in India because of the humid climate prevalent the whole year. Summer drinks help to beat the humidity as well as the humidity. Shikanji is a traditional summer drink that is liked by all. If we prepare new drinks, it shall bring a change and seems exciting.   

Authored By: Poorvi Chhajer

About the Author: Poorvi is a psychology graduate with a knack for writing and a belief in Ayurveda.