### Sabja Lemonade – Sweet Basil Seeds Lemon Drink
Sabja lemonade, popularly known as sweet basil seeds lemonade, serves as a revitalizing and nutritious beverage perfect for summer. Crafted with sabja seeds, which originate from the sweet basil plant (scientific name: Ocimum basilicum), this drink is not only flavorful but also loaded with various health advantages. In India, these seeds are typically called sabja or falooda seeds, while they are known as tukmaria in other areas. In Telugu, they are referred to as sabja ginjalu. These seeds are harvested from the maruwa or rudra jada plant that belongs to the tulsi family, and should not be mistaken for holy basil or tulsi.
#### Health Benefits of Sabja Seeds
Sabja seeds boast a high antioxidant content and provide a cooling effect on the body, making them perfect for warm summer days. They support digestion, help alleviate constipation, and can ease symptoms of colds, skin infections, and respiratory issues. For individuals with elevated pitta dosha, consuming sabja seeds may help to lower body heat. Ayurvedic literature highlights various medicinal qualities of these seeds. When placed in water, sabja seeds expand and develop a texture akin to tapioca, turning crunchy and neutral in taste. They can be incorporated into a variety of beverages, juices, or desserts, and the classic dessert falooda traditionally includes them.
#### Making Sabja Lemonade
To create sabja lemonade, all you need to do is blend sabja seeds into your standard lemonade recipe. Here’s a simple guide:
**Ingredients:**
– 1 tablespoon sabja seeds
– 1 cup water (for soaking the seeds)
– 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons sugar or honey (adjust according to taste)
– 2 cups cold water
– Ice cubes (optional)
– Lemon slices and mint leaves for decoration
**Instructions:**
1. **Soak the Sabja Seeds:**
– In a small bowl, soak 1 tablespoon of sabja seeds in 1 cup of water for approximately 15-20 minutes. The seeds will expand and acquire a gelatinous consistency.
2. **Prepare the Lemonade:**
– In a pitcher, mix 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey. Stir thoroughly until the sugar dissolves.
– Pour in 2 cups of cold water and mix well.
3. **Combine and Serve:**
– After the sabja seeds have bloomed, add them to the lemonade mixture.
– Stir gently to blend.
– Serve the sabja lemonade in glasses over ice cubes, if preferred.
– Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves.
#### Enjoying Sabja Lemonade
Sabja lemonade is not just a refreshing drink but also a wholesome option that helps you stay cool during the summer season. The next time you prepare lemonade, think about including a generous tablespoon of bloomed sabja seeds for an added health advantage. This delightful beverage can also be paired with other summer drinks like shikanji, nannari sharbat, bel ka sharbat, or rooh afza lemonade, enhancing their cooling effects.
Incorporating sabja seeds into your meals is an effortless way to reap their health benefits while enjoying a refreshing drink.