Hello Everyone, you all are welcome to our blog Gujarati Rotlo Food Recipes. In this article, we will be learning Step by Step Thandai Recipe in Gujarati and how to make this delicious Classic, Rose, and Kesar Thandai Recipe in just 15 minutes. You can serve ठंडाई to your friends, family, and loved ones.
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About Thandai Recipe?
Aside from colors, one thing that is always associated with the Holi festival is the traditional summertime drink, Thandai, which is a sweet, spicy, and flavored beverage. Consequently, I’ve included a simple and delicious Thandai recipe in this post that is also healthful.
During the summer or Holi festival, prepare this traditional Indian beverage, also known as “Shardai,” which is refreshing, nutty, and spicy. or pretty much at any other moment. This recipe includes a step-by-step visual tutorial as well as a video.
Since the word “thandai” is derived from the Hindi word “thanda,” which basically means “cool” or “cold,” it denotes anything which is cooling or cools. The Thandai Recipe gets its name from the fact that it is also a cooling drink for the body. Another name for this traditional drink is “shardai” or “sardai.”
A popular traditional beverage in northern India, thandai is mostly created during the Holi festival of colors. This drink’s primary ingredient is a paste made from a mixture of sweetened almonds, seeds, and a few spices. The cool drink is created by diluting this paste with milk.
The Thandai Recipe has a strong perfume and sweet, fragrant taste that is nutty and creamy.Simple, fuss-free, and incredibly simple to make is my thandai recipe. All you have to do is soak the nuts or seeds, then blend them with spices and sugar, then combine them with milk or water.
Thus, the almonds, poppy seeds, and melon seeds are the nuts and/or seeds I use in my Thandai recipe. Fennel seeds, saffron, green cardamoms, and black peppercorns are the ingredients that go into it. The taste of dried rose petals, or gulkand, is an addition.
The best thing about this thandai recipe is that you can prepare the paste in advance and freeze it for up to two months or store it in the fridge for a week. And to prepare the drink, simply combine the paste with milk; a refreshing glass of Thandai will be ready.
What is Thandai?
Thandai is an Indian cold drink prepared with a mixture of almonds, fennel seeds, watermelon kernels, rose petals, pepper, poppy seeds, cardamom, saffron, milk, and sugar. It is native to India and is often associated with the Maha Shivaratri and Holi festivals. Traditionally, a small amount of bhang (cannabis leaves and flower heads) is added to thandai for Holi, but this version is without bhang, making it suitable for everyone, including children. The name “Thandai” means “cooling” in Hindi, reflecting its refreshing nature.
Ingredients for Thandai Recipe
- Soaked Almonds – 100 gms
- Soaked Cashews – 50 gms
- Soaked Watermelon Seeds – 50 gms
- Soaked Fennel Seeds (Saunf) – 50 gms
- Soaked Black Seeds – 2 tsp
- Soaked Poppy Seeds (Khus Khus) – 2 tsp
- Soaked Cardamom (Elaichi) – 2 tsp
- Saffron (Kesar) – 1/4 tsp
- Sugar – 300 gms
- Water – 1 cup
Recipe Video
Instructions for Thandai Recipe
Classic Thandai Recipe
- Soak and Rinse: Add almonds, cashews, watermelon seeds, fennel seeds, black seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron in separate bowls. Rinse them well and soak in water for at least 4 hours.
- Peel and Blend: Peel the skin of the almonds and rinse all the nuts with fresh water. Add the soaked and blanched nuts to a blender.
- Grind: Drain the water from the watermelon seeds and black seeds. Add them to the blender. Grind the fennel seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron together to make a smooth paste.
- Mix: Combine all the pastes in a bowl.
- Prepare Syrup: In a pan, add sugar and just enough water to cover it. Stir until the sugar dissolves and forms a syrup.
- Combine: Mix the nut and spice paste with the syrup. Let it cool and store in an airtight bottle. This syrup can be used to make thandai anytime.
Rose Thandai Recipe
- Soak and Rinse: Follow the same soaking and rinsing steps as the classic recipe.
- Peel and Blend: Peel the almonds and rinse all the nuts. Add them to a blender.
- Grind: Drain the water from the watermelon seeds and black seeds. Add them to the blender. Grind the fennel seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron together to make a smooth paste.
- Mix: Combine all the pastes in a bowl.
- Prepare Syrup: In a pan, add sugar and just enough water to cover it. Stir until the sugar dissolves and forms a syrup.
- Combine: Mix the nut and spice paste with the syrup. Let it cool and store in an airtight bottle. This syrup can be used to make rose-flavored thandai anytime.
Variations and Flavors
While the classic thandai recipe is a favorite, adding different flavors can make it even more enjoyable. Popular variations include rose and saffron (kesar) thandai. You can also experiment with other flavors like coffee, tea, mango, vanilla, chocolate, or tropical fruits. However, ensure that these added flavors do not overpower the authentic taste of the drink.
FAQ: Thandai Recipe
1. What is Thandai?
Thandai is an Indian cold drink made with a mixture of almonds, fennel seeds, watermelon kernels, rose petals, pepper, poppy seeds, cardamom, saffron, milk, and sugar. It is often associated with the Maha Shivaratri and Holi festivals. The name “Thandai” means “cooling” in Hindi, reflecting its refreshing nature1.
2. What ingredients are needed for Thandai?
- Soaked Almonds
- Soaked Cashews
- Soaked Watermelon Seeds
- Soaked Fennel Seeds (Saunf)
- Soaked Black Seeds
- Soaked Poppy Seeds (Khus Khus)
- Soaked Cardamom (Elaichi)
- Saffron (Kesar)
- Sugar
- Water1
3. How do you prepare Thandai?
- Soak and Rinse: Soak almonds, cashews, watermelon seeds, fennel seeds, black seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron in water for at least 4 hours.
- Peel and Blend: Peel the almonds and rinse all the nuts. Add them to a blender.
- Grind: Drain the water from the seeds and add them to the blender. Grind the fennel seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron together to make a smooth paste.
- Mix: Combine all the pastes in a bowl.
- Prepare Syrup: In a pan, add sugar and just enough water to cover it. Stir until the sugar dissolves and forms a syrup.
- Combine: Mix the nut and spice paste with the syrup. Let it cool and store in an airtight bottle. This syrup can be used to make thandai anytime1.
4. Can I customize the Thandai recipe?
Yes, you can customize the Thandai recipe by adding different flavors like rose, saffron, or even tropical fruits. However, ensure that these added flavors do not overpower the authentic taste of the drink1.
5. Is Thandai good for health?
Thandai is made using a number of nuts and spices which are said to have a cooling effect on the body. Ingredients like almonds, fennel seeds, and saffron are known for their health benefits, making Thandai a nutritious and refreshing drink1.
6. How do I store Thandai?
Thandai syrup can be stored in an airtight bottle in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to serve, mix the syrup with cold milk and serve chilled1.
7. Can I make Thandai without sugar?
Yes, you can make Thandai without sugar by using natural sweeteners like honey or jaggery. Adjust the quantity to taste1.
8. What can I serve with Thandai?
Thandai is often served as a refreshing drink during festivals like Holi. It pairs well with Indian snacks like samosas, pakoras, or sweets like gujiya1.
9. Is Thandai gluten-free?
Yes, Thandai is naturally gluten-free as it is made from nuts, seeds, and spices that do not contain gluten1.
10. How do I make Thandai more flavorful?
To enhance the flavor of Thandai, you can add a pinch of saffron, rose water, or freshly ground spices like cardamom and black pepper. Adjust the spices to your preference for a more personalized taste1.
