Cinnamon- Cardamom- Ginger- Kesar Lemon Juice.

“Cinnamon- Cardamom- Ginger- Kesar Lemon Juice" ... simple yet aromatic sherbat for mid morning break prepared from freshly crushed ingredients ... I am sure those who prepare coolants by crushing ingredients fresh will agree with me that the taste definitely varies from that which is prepared with readily available powders ... the juice turns so aromatic both in flavor and color that kesar/ saffron imparts which is totally different from artificial ones ... you should try it if you have not and once you do you will never turn back and see for sure ... Yummilicious ... 

** The season of Lemons arrive and though they are available all round the year, during season they are available in plenty at reasonable rates. Again, it’s the season when the pickle is prepared using lemons for year round storage. Brine is also possible with these lemons so that you can use them as kanji in a few months or prepare pickle out of the same at later date. But the best of all are lemonade or ginger ale’ or simple kesari flavored lemon juice that we enjoy in my home. The current pandemic that’s still is cause of concern has made us vulnerable and people are totally in anxiety now, which is not a good sign for overall health. But then these things are easier said than done as losing out on jobs is the major concern of workers who work under no job guarantee basis and it really makes it that much more difficult to face it. Is there no solution to this issue ??? is the million dollar question ringing in the mind all the time. All we can do is keep faith in God, try to keep our mind cool and prepare those dishes and consume that will boost immunity levels, which is the need of the day now. 

** Lemons are believed to be loaded with Vit.C that wards of cold, cough etc. Then there are oranges, amla and a few other veggies that are are also excellent to boost health and should be included too. Well, lemon is the easiest reachable ones and is also pocket friendly, so one a day can definitely be a sort of relief to be had for all purposes. Freshly prepared juices are the best way of including them into our daily food habits, in fact it is advised to be had year round and not only now, though during winter it is that much more recommended. Kesar is another ingredients that imparts heat to the body and has its own benefits, so are pepper, cardamom, ginger etc. I came up with this excellent tasty lemon juice a few years back and its always consumed in my home making slight variation as is my mood or ingredients available at hand. Try this simple easily available ingredients in kitchen juice and sip it in at mid morning or you can carry the same if you need to go out on job. I have not added any ice cubes or served this cold as now I am avoiding chilled drinks and having them at room temperature. 

** Here is how I prepare “Cinnamon- Cardamom- Ginger- Kesar Lemon Juice" … A Delicious Coolant ... My Style … 

** In a small stainless steel bowl add a tsp of sabja/ falooda seeds and 1 cup of boiled and cooled water at room temperature. Cover and keep it aside for an hour for the sabja to soak in the water and get doubled, jelly like in size. Inclusion of sabja is optional and can be skipped out if not available or desired. However, just a tip, it is good to ward of acidity, so it is good to have them often. 

** Add in 1 inch piece of fresh ginger (adrak/ alle”), 8-10 whole black pepper corns (miri), 2-4 threads of kesar (saffron), 3 whole green cardamom (ellaichi/ yellu), 1/2 inch piece of cinnamon/ tike saal bark in a pestal and coarsely crush it with a heavy weight/ stone. Add  2 cups of cold water, cover and keep it aside for an hour. You can make variations in the quantity of ingredients as per your choice too. 

** In a clean stainless steel vessel strain the the above soaked ingredients. Add 1 cup of sugar/ shakkar, ¼ tsp of kala namak (rock salt/ black salt) and mix well. Now add in freshly squeezed juice of 3-4 lemons (limbiyo/ nimboo) or to taste, 4 cups of chilled water, the soaked sabja seeds along with the water in which it is soaked and mix well till all the ingredients are well combined. 

** “Cinnamon- Cardamom- Ginger- Kesar Lemon Juice" is done and ready to be served. Check the taste and add in more water/ sugar if necessary before serving. I got in all about a liter of this delicious juice out of the above mentioned ingredients. Tastes great and rejuvenates the body for sure if had at mid-morning specially so if you return home baked in sunlight, tired and thirsty. 

** It is always advice-able to have lemon juice freshly prepared to get in maximum health benefits. Always make it a point to make an habit with growing children to enjoy these simple homemade preparations than giving them ready made drinks from stores. They are not only harmful but are devoid of any nutrients even the fruits juices in tetra packs that claim so. Be adventurous and try your own options.

** Note : The amount of sugar is entirely upto individual taste and can be increased or decreased to your family preferences. Again, addition of lemon juice too should be taken care of after checking its tart/ tanginess as the same depends upon lemon available in your place.