Indian Summer Holidays – What to Eat in India During Summer to Stay Cool India's Best Summer Treats

India is a vast country, stretching from the green tropical shores of Kerala to the snow-tipped peaks of the Himalayas. The climate varies greatly between different parts of the country, but one thing is certain: summer in India is hot, hot, hot! The heat is relentless; day after day of hot, dry, sunny weather. With regular flights to India from the UK, what better place to escape the unpredictable UK weather, than this diverse, intoxicating, multi-cultural country?

A trip to India also means you're about to jump into the wildest culinary experience of your life, with the variety of different cuisines on offer as diverse as the people and history that have shaped the subcontinent. But with temperatures soaring, what can you eat in order to stay cool? Here are some top tips for experiencing India's best summer treats.

Juicy Tropical Fruits :- The trick to keeping cool during India's hot summer months is to eat food that's easy to digest and contains a lot of natural water. So you have the perfect excuse to munch on lots of juicy tropical fruits such as pineapple, watermelon, lychees, guava, mango, papaya and Indian berries. And who needs an excuse for that?

Heat-Busting Salads :- Salads and raw vegetables such as onions and tomatoes are easily digestible and also contain a lot of water, making them an excellent choice for your summer trip. A tasty, healthy salad such as 'Moong Moth Ka Anokha Salad,' made from sprouts tossed with a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, is a perfect choice to keep your body temperature down.

 

Fish and Seafood :-If you do fancy a cooked meal, avoid eating too much meat or oily food, and opt instead to enjoy the wonderful variety of fish and seafood on offer. A simple fish stew from the Bengali region of India, known as 'Johl,' made from lightly-fried fish, cooked with spices, potatoes and vegetables, and served with plain boiled rice, is said to cool off your stomach over the summer. It's just the thing to tantalise those taste buds, too!

Curd and Yoghurt :-Eating curd or yoghurt is an excellent alternative to ice cream – the effects of which can be rather short-lived. Curd is a natural coolant, full of nutritional goodness, and it's also delicious and incredibly versatile. Try it with fresh fruits or muesli to start the day, or added to vegetable curries for a rich and delicious flavour. Look out for curd rice, a staple of South India, and try it mixed with cubes of aubergine, mint and garlic for a tasty summer treat.

Drink Plenty of Liquids :-Finally, in order to stay hydrated in those hot summer months, you need to drink plenty of fluids. Again, you're spoilt for choice, as India has a mind-blowing amount of delicious, nutritious drinks to help keep you cool, including natural fruit juices such as watermelon juice or lemonade, fruit shakes, buttermilk, coconut water, green mango drink, green tea, bitter gourd juice, and lassi. Indeed, mango lassi is a favourite summer drink in most regions of India, and a lifesaver for many Indians.

If you choose to visit India during the summer season, look out for these wonderful treats, which will help you to stay cool, and taste fantastic too!

And if you long to recreate an Indian culinary treat from your holiday, or simply wish to try this popular drink, here's a simple recipe for you to try at home:

Mango Lassi :- Buy canned alphonso mango pulp from an Asian shop, and pour it into a blender, along with a little sugar and mix well. Then pour it over ice, sprinkle a little black salt on top (also available in your local Asian shop) and sit in the sun and dream of India! Enjoy!