AAM PANNA – Raw Mango Cooler

Three Indian drinks I often make during summers are Nimbu pani, Aam ka panna and Kokum juice. They all are summer coolers and help in beating the heat in.  At the same time all three taste so good.

Mother nature offers us a bountiful to take care of ourselves, in every weather.  We just need to know HOW TO USE the gifts.  For eg. In summers to keep the heat from getting to us we have melons, cucumbers, kokum, and of course mangoes.

Mangoes are so versatile in both raw and ripe forms.

This recipe is  made from raw mango.

When it comes to thirst QUENCHERS or should I say REFRESHERS, Aam Panna happens to be on top of my list especially in the hot summer afternoons.   The drink has a slight yellow hue to it and is midly spiced with cumin (jeera) and pudina.  Additionally, throw in some black salt and your glass of aam panna is ready to be devoured !!

I can drink it like a fish. Yes, it is that yummy.   So, chuck the sodas and colas and instead make this vitamin C and iron packed drink for your entire family.

A few health benefits of aam panna.

• It prevents the body from getting heat stroke and keeps it cool.
• Raw mangoes are rich in vitamin c and iron, plus the addition of jaggery also gives an iron boost.
• It helps in preventing stomach problems in the summers. Good for digestion.

Here, I have shown how to make AAM PANNA concentrate so that you are free to use as you fancy.

Don’t mangoes make the summers so much more SPECIAL ? 

Just a special tip here, roasting mangoes gives it a nice flavour and makes a difference.  So, try to add a few roasted pieces of raw mango and then make the pulp it will lift the flavours of your aam panna beautifully.

AAM PANNA (Recipe)

Ingredients :

• 2 medium sized raw unripe mangoes (approx 400g)
• 3 cups water for steaming
• 1.5 cups grated jaggery or add as required
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
• ¼ tsp black pepper powder
• 2 tsp black salt (or white salt)

Method :

• Rinse the raw mangoes in water a couple of times.
• Add 3 cups water in a steamer to heat. Place the raw mangoes in the steamer and cook for about 12 to 14 minutes.
• Once cooled remove the peels and extract the pulp.
• Sieve the pulp throught a strainer.
• Now add the required amount of sugar or jaggery.
• Add 1 teaspoon cardamom powder, 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder, 2 teaspoons black salt, ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper. Mix very well in a blender or hand churner to blend the aam panna.
• The aam ka panna concentrate is ready.
• Pour the aam panna concentrate in a clean glass bottle or jar. Store the bottle or jar in the fridge.

  Add the spices and jaggery to this pulp.  The jaggery will make the aam panna a shade of brown.  If you like it lighter you can add sugar instead of jaggery.

How to make the drink from the concentrate  

• Add 6 to 9 tablespoons of aam panna concentrate to 1 litre chilled water
• Add a few sprigs of mint leaves.  Stir well.
• Pour out in a tall glass, garnish with mint leaves and serve !