JAL JEERA - INDIA'S TASTIEST AND HEALTHIEST WELCOME DRINK

Jal Jeera is the most loved and healthy summer drink in India. In Hindi, Jal Jeera translates to 'water' (Jal) and 'cumin' (jeera). However, this delicious concoction is more than just a simple combination of cumin and water. It's much more than that!

As soon as the Indian summer arrives, you'll see handcarts selling chilled Jal Jeera water. You'll often spot them lined up alongside streets and corners with a bustling crowd in front of each cart, quenching their thirst. 

Jaljeera is popular in northern India because it has excellent cooling properties against the severely high summer temperatures of the region. It is usually served as an appetizer before a meal. But you can also drink it between meals. Some variants of Jal Jeera do not involve any added sugar.

Jal Jeera is stored in a large matka wrapped with a cloth. This keeps it cool. It is usually served after garnishing it with the following: 

• Mint
• Coriander leaves
• Boondi and
• Masala

It is very refreshing and rejuvenates you with an instant burst of energy. Although cumin might be one of the essential ingredients of this spiced beverage, you should not confuse it with just plain cumin water. Jal Jeera is essentially a type of lemonade, spiced with a combination of: 

• Jal Jeera powder (Roasted cumin powder)
• Ginger powder
• Herbs like coriander and mint
• Garam masala
• Chili powder
• Pepper 
• Black Salt

You can even use a bit of tamarind or dry mango powder to give the beverage a slightly sour flavor.

Jal jeera is very popular in the northern parts of the country. It's because of its cooling effect on the body. 

Origins of Jal Jeera

Jaljeera has a very long history. It originated on the banks of the river Ganga. During old times, people ground jaljeera powder on stone slabs. They stored Jal Jeera in clay pots. Jal Jeera is still a standard drink at most Indian family or social events.

It is said that Jal Jeera was created by a group living on the river Ganga's banks. They prepared it by grinding all the ingredients on stone slabs (called "silla-batti" in Hindi). They then mixed the jal jeera powder with water. It was preserved in clay pots to keep it cool. 

Jal Jeera is traditionally served as a welcome drink in summer. It also activates your taste buds and digestive juices. Consuming it before a meal is also beneficial as it can build your appetite. 

Cumin (Jeera) is a medicinal ingredient that aids digestion. Black Salt or rock salt acts as a digestive. The mint has a cooling effect.

Here are some more jaljeera benefits when you drink Jal Jeera regularly, especially during hot weather:

• Helps digestion – The rock salt or black Salt added in Jal Jeera is a good digestive. Cumin also boosts the digestive processes. It gives relief from intestinal gas, acidity, and heart burns.
• Keeps you hydrated and keeps your body cool – This thirst quencher is excellent for keeping you hydrated on a hot and sultry day. The fresh mint and coriander leaves added to Jal Jeera regulate your body temperature. The drink cools your body.
• A healthy alternative to aerated drinks – Instead of consuming high-calorie, carbonated, aerated beverages, drinking natural, low-calorie Jal Jeera keeps your energy levels high throughout the day.
• Soothes the abdomen – Ginger, or ginger powder used in Jal Jeera is an excellent remedy for nausea that you may experience due to intense summer heat. It also helps in curing abdominal cramps due to indigestion.

According to nutritionists, Jal jeera works wonders for regulating your digestion. As you sip the beverage and take in all the spices, it gets easily absorbed into your system via osmosis. It then kills all the microbes. But again, it is high in Salt. So, people with high blood pressure should consume Jal Jeera in moderation.