From Grandma's Wisdom to Mango Magic, Surviving the Summer Heat

 

The increasing heat of recent years has understandably led to growing anxiety among the general public about the times ahead. We are constantly bombarded with alarming news in the media, and this fear is natural. During the summer season, it's crucial to take care of ourselves and our young children.

The Echoes of a Caring Past: "Have You Eaten?"

There was a time when our elders would always call out to us as we left the house for work, their constant question being, "Have you eaten something?"

Lost in Time: The Fading Tradition of Nurturing Inquiry

As time passed, these gestures have become mere memories. There are fewer elders around, and no one asks anymore if we've eaten. Today, we are the ones who want to ask our children the same question, but they often rush off to their tasks before we can even utter a word.

A Seasonal Symphony of Flavors: Adapting to Summer's Bounty

In those days, each season brought with it a distinct menu, affordable or expensive depending on one's means. Since summer days are long, we had to pay attention to both hunger and thirst. Nature has blessed us with unique summer sustenance.

Summer's Sweet Embrace: The Indispensable Mango

One cannot think of summer without mentioning mangoes. Nature has given us this fruit, which remains accessible to both the rich and the poor. The varieties of mangoes are countless, but some well-known names include Dasheri, Alphonso (Hapus), Banarasi (Langra), Chausa, Kalmi (Saroli), Totapari, Surkha, Safeda, Annas, and many more. It seems every orchard owner has cultivated their unique strain and given it a new name.

Mango Magic: A Flavor That Bridges Divides

Mango is a fruit that hardly anyone dislikes. Mango chutney is perhaps one dish that both the poor and the rich enjoy at least once a day.

The Tangy Temptation: Mango Pickle's Ubiquitous Appeal

Mango pickle is the most widely consumed pickle, sold by large companies and small street vendors alike. Pickle also comes in a wide array of flavors: sweet and sour, spicy, with added chili, mixed, and countless other variations we encounter daily.

The Ultimate Summer Elixir: Aamras - Nature's Defense Against Heatstroke

Beyond all this, the first remedy that comes to mind for protection against summer heatstroke is Aamras (mango pulp). I believe this discovery is a marvel by some great soul in our country who recognized this unique property of mangoes. There is perhaps no better defense against heatstroke than Aamras, a sure-shot weapon against the summer's harshness for the entire family, and it has always been effective.

Aamras Variations: A Cooling Delight for Every Palate

Aamras is prepared in various ways. The most common method in Northern India involves boiling the mangoes and using the pulp as a sweet or savory drink. Believe me, every member of the household asks for this refreshing beverage multiple times.

The Year-Round Craving: The Beloved Mango Shake

All of this aside, the most anticipated mango delight for enthusiasts throughout the year is the mango shake. The mango shake is perhaps the cheapest and most delicious drink that hardly anyone can resist.

Mango's Versatility: Beyond Just a Fruit

The use of mango as a drink, which we know as mango shake, is perhaps more widespread than that of any other fruit. I'm not saying that mango shake is the only beverage we enjoy in every season; Bel Patthar (wood apple) juice is also quite popular.

Sattu: The Forgotten Superfood Against Summer's Fury

For protection against summer heatstroke, there is a very effective and wholesome food: Sattu. Yes, this is a name commonly found in the writings of Munshi Premchand and our great literary figures, but in today's era, I believe fewer people have much information about it. Sattu is commonly used by farming families in villages because the heat that farmers endure in the fields during the summer is unbearable for most. The sun's heat combined with the ground's scorching temperature can quickly exhaust even a healthy person. Therefore, in earlier times, every farmer carried a small pouch of sattu, which helped alleviate fatigue at regular intervals.