Sindh the second largest province of Pakistan is famous for its rich cultural heritage and exclusive seasonal cuisines. The summer season of Sindh is governed by scorching sunny days and arid air with the mercury level frequently climbs to 46OC. During the blistering and dry season of summer, when ponds shrink and plants burning up, local residents cool down with cooling and refreshing beverages. The most popular and pick-me-up beverage of Sindh is Thadal. Once the local delight is now a famous thirst quenching drink of urban areas as well.
The name of this revitalizing drink is originated from the Sindhi word "Thaddo" which means "something cold." The aromatic drink is a healthy combination of dried fruits, dried rose petals, cumin seeds, almonds, black pepper, fennel seeds, and a mixture of seeds called char magaze. This famous traditional beverage has amazing cooling and refreshing abilities to relieve excessive heat in the body. Each ingredient of thadal is full of energy and helps to fight against sweltering thirst. Here are benefits of thadal ingredients:
Poppy seeds These tiny seeds help to maintain normal body temperature during hot summer time. Poppy seeds blended with sugar provide relief from heat related fatigue. The valuable compounds present in poppy seeds improve brain function.
Poppy seeds are good source of essential fatty acids like linoliec acids that lower blood cholesterol levels in the body and improves heart health. These are packed with calcium, phosphorus, and manganese, which help to maintain bone health. Poppy seeds are rich source of zinc, which help to boost immunity system.
Cumin seeds This amazing spice has cooling effects and helps in getting rid of adverse bristly heat. Small quantity of roasted crushed cumin seeds help to maintain the electrolyte balance in the body. The presence of thymol and other essential oils in cumin seeds stimulate the salivary glands thereby helping in the digestion of food. Cumin also aid detoxification and remedy gas and bloating. Cumin benefits in curing dyspepsia, diarrhea, stomach gas, diabetes, high blood pressure, and insomnia. Cumin seeds contain a good amount of iron. Iron is an essential element for the formation of hemoglobin in the blood required for transport of oxygen.
The spice is an excellent source of minerals like iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, zinc, and magnesium. It also contains very good amounts of B-complex vitamins such as thiamin, vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, and other vital anti-oxidant vitamins like vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Fennel seeds Fennel seeds work as a coolant and known for their cooling effect on the body. A study published in the Journal of Food Science, found that chewing on fennel seeds helped increased the nitrite content in saliva, making it a great natural way to keep a check on blood pressure levels. Fennel seed helps remove toxins and reduces the risk of urinary tract problems. The seeds help beat oxidative stress and protect the body from various cancers of the skin, stomach, and breasts. Fennel seeds have a very potent chemo modulator effect too.
Mixed melon seeds or Char maghaz A combination of nutty and sweet pumpkin, watermelon, and a cucumber and muskmelon seeds is known as "mixed melon seeds". These seeds have amazing cooling properties and packed with vital nutrients. They help to maintain healthy cardiovascular system, brain rejuvenation, and strong immune system. The seeds are the powerhouse of folic acid, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, protein, Vitamin E, Omega-3, fatty acids, and unsaturated oils.
Green Cardamom Cardamom is an excellent source of manganese, supplies about 1217% of the DV/100 grams, a very good source of iron, supplying 175% of the DV/100 grams and has good levels of other minerals like copper, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. It also contains good amounts of Vitamin C and the B complex vitamins, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin and pyridoxine. It is low in sodium and free of cholesterol. Most importantly, it contains a wealth of essential oils.
Ingredients:
1. Sugar - 1 kg
2. Water - 1 liter
3. Almonds - 150 g (peeled and soaked overnight)
4. Fennel seeds - 1 tbsp
5. Char maghaz - 1 tbsp
6. Poppy seeds - 1 tbsp
7. Green cardamom - 1 tbsp
8. Cumin seeds - 1 tbsp
In 1 cup of water, mix and soak fennel seeds, char maghaz, poppy seeds, and green cardamom and cumin seeds overnight.
Method:
Soak almonds, fennel seeds, char maghaz, poppy seeds, green cardamom, and cumin seeds overnight. In 1 liter of water, cook sugar to make sugar syrup. In a blender, add soaked almonds, fennel seeds, char maghaz, poppy seeds, green cardamom and cumin seeds along with some water, and blend well. Now completely strain the water from this mixture and pour over the sugar syrup. Now cook the sugar syrup for 5 to 10 minutes, and then take it off the heat. Cool it down and store it in fridge. To serve add one part of thadal in three parts of water add crushed ice and Enjoy your Ramadan and summer with homemade thadal.