I was thinking of my childhood summer memories the other day and just felt like I wanted to bring some of it back with the flavors of my childhood! So, I introduce you to this ‘desi’ Indian drink called Kache Aam ka panna! It literally translates to raw mango drink. Summers in India are very hot with temperatures touching up to 50 degrees celsious. One needs numerous glasses of not just water but also refreshing and energizing coolers to help beat the sweltering heat. Aam panna is one such drink that is known to have tremendous cooling properties, in addition to aiding digestion and being full of vitamin-c.
Preservative and coloring agent free, this drink is not a difficult thing to make. One needs raw mangoes. I have never seen actual raw mangoes here but whatever I found were really good. They were firm, sour, pale with a hint of sweetness. I got these mangoes from an Indian store but I have also seen the same kind in South east Asian markets. Unlike the short-lived availability of spring vegetables, the raw mango season lasts several months — from April to September depending on where the mangoes are from. Many of the mangoes that are intended to be eaten ripe are in fact under ripe and can still be used for this recipe.
You could either roast or grill the mangoes for an intense smoky flavor or just boil it. Once they are cooked take their pulp out and puree in a blender. Sweeten and enliven the puree with salt and spices . One of the key ingredient to flavor this drink is Indian black salt or rock salt, also known as kala namak, It is actually pinkish-grey in color and has a kind of sulphuric smell to it. It’s definitely an acquired taste, but it’s really good for you because it’s packed with iron and all sorts of minerals. However, my daughter does not like it. She finds its odor unpleasant and it reminds her of the digestion pills (hajmola) I used to give her as a kid. Yet, I highly encourage you try this drink with black salt. It tastes completely different than what it smells. But in case you don’t have it available, then plain salt or Himalayan salt would work too.
Enlivened with sugar, cumin and rock salt this raw mango drink is refreshing, hydrating and cooling
Ingredients
- 2 lbs raw mangoes
- 1/2 cup (+) sugar
- 2 tsp indian black salt
- 1/2 tsp roasted ground ajwain
- 1 1/2 tsp (+) roasted cumin powder
- 4 cups (+) chilled water
- crushed ice
Instructions
- Wash the mangoes thoroughly with skin.
- Place them in a pot with enough water to cover. Cook until they are really soft to touch.
- Peel the mangoes while still warm but cool enough to touch. Separate the pulp and seed/pit.
- Add sugar to the warm pulp (it would be about 2 cups). Puree the pulp in a blender along with 1/2 cup water.
- Add the rest of the spices and adjust to taste accordingly.( this thick paste can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks).
- To serve add 4-5 cups chilled water to the pureed mango pulp.
- Half fill glasses with crushed ice. Pour freshly made Aam panna.
- Enjoy!
Coffee and Crumpets
I don’t ever remember trying this before, but it sure looks good!
This would be great to break our fasts with since the days are long and hot.
I’ll see if I can find some kacche aam. I have a big Asian market next to me and they carry many desi things.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Nazneen
Malti Sharma
It was always my SOUL SOOTHING favorite cooler! 🙂
Thank you for sharing the recipe and reminding me my childhood!
Monica
I always think about trying to buy the sweetest mangoes and never thought about raw mangoes and uses like this. It’s so interesting and these cold drinks must have been life savers in the heat. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Shubha
This is one of my fav drinks:)This is a regular drink at my place during summer:) Addition of ajwain is new..i will definetley try this addition the next time i make it:)
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Have never had this..nor have I heard of it before…sounds really tasty!
Norma Chang
Like Angie above I have never heard of nor tasted this drink before, sounds intriguing. Learned something new,
Jolly
Such a cool and refreshing aam ka panna Balvinder…I never used ajwain in my drink, interesting ingredient..good for digestion and flavorful too..Beautiful share 🙂
Blackswan
Definitely need a refreshing drink like yours in this hot weather. Thumbs up, dear! xoxo
Abbe@This is How I Cook
This sounds so enticing! I love mangos and would have never thought to boil them to make a drink. And cumin? So surprising, but now I am so thirsty!
Juliana
Wow Balvinder, this is just an interesting recipe…I have never had cumin in juice…I would love to give this try.
Hope you are having a great week 🙂
Sarvani
Aam Panna is the only reason I can survive the Summer.. but I make mine differently…I flavour mine with saffron and cardamom…this Summer was brutal and thank God for Aam Panna!
Shumaila | The Novice Housewife
I haven’t made aam panna this summer and I really can’t think why! Love aam panna and this looks great!