Aam Panna: Your Tangy Escape from the Summer Sun!

Aam Panna- A Summertime Soother

The scorching summer sun can leave you feeling drained and dehydrated. But fear not! There's a cool, refreshing drink that's been a favorite in India for centuries – Aam Panna! Made with raw mangoes, this vibrant green beverage is not just delicious, it's also packed with vitamins and minerals to keep you going all summer long.

Aam Panna is incredibly versatile. You can adjust the sweetness, spice level, and consistency to suit your taste. So, whether you prefer it tangy and tart or sweet and mellow, there's a perfect Aam Panna recipe for you.

Here's a basic recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 2 Raw mangoes (unripe and firm)
• 1 cup Mint leaves
• 1 cup Water (for boiling)
• Jaggery powder (to taste)- Start with 1/2 cup
• 1 tsp Cardamom powder
• 1 tsp Roasted cumin powder 
• ¼ tsp Black pepper powder 
• 1 tsp Rock salt
• 1 tsp Black salt 
• 3-4 cups Chilled/ Matka water (for serving)
• Fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Wash the raw mangoes thoroughly. You can either peel them before boiling (for a smoother drink) or boil them whole and peel them afterward (for a more intense mango flavor).
2. If using whole mangoes, pierce them with a fork and place them in a pot with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and cook until softened, about 15-20 minutes. If using peeled mangoes, chop them into pieces and cook them in the water for about 10 minutes.
3. Once the mangoes are soft, let them cool slightly. Scrape the pulp away from the seed and discard the seed. Blend the mango pulp with a little water to create a smooth puree. You can strain it too.
4. Take a mixer grinder jar and make paste of mint leaves.
5. In a large pot, combine the mango puree, mint paste, jaggery powder, cardamom powder, cumin powder, black pepper powder, and black salt. Add a little water if the mixture seems too thick. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the jaggery dissolves. Taste and adjust the sweetness, spice level, and saltiness to your preference.
6. Allow the Aam Panna concentrate to cool completely.
7. Then, dilute it with chilled water according to how strong you like the flavor. Pour into glasses filled with ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves.

Tips:

• For a tangier Aam Panna, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the concentrate.
• Add extra spices, salt and jaggery powder if making a thick concentrate since it will be diluted with water.
• You can adjust the amount of water you add to the concentrate to create a thinner or thicker drink.
• Leftover Aam Panna concentrate can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 15 days.

So, the next time the heat gets you down, whip up a batch of Aam Panna and enjoy this delicious and refreshing summertime soother!