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The great American writer, T.S Eliot once said, “April is the cruelest month.” This stays true especially for a country like India where summers are particularly unforgiving. While the sun is at its peak, all we need is lots and lots of water to stay as hydrated as possible. Here’s where sharbats come into play.
Since time immemorial sharbats have been an indispensable part of India’s summer routine; becoming a healthy substitute for cheap aerated drinks. If history books are to be believed, it was the Mughal emperor Babur who introduced the drink in our country making it the star of his Iftar parties. He relished the drink so much that he had special cavalry sent to the Himalayas to procure ice for his sharbats. Usually, Sharbats are made of fruit and flower extracts which are then combined with ice to make a perfect cool drink.
Rose sharbats and their history
The moment we say sharbats, the flavour that comes rushing to our tongue tips is Rose. Already recognized as a symbol of love, the medicinal properties of this fragrant flower soon caught the attention of medical practitioners. Those were people who were on the lookout for the perfect drink that not only quenches thirst but keeps the body and mind refreshed. In fact, according to French herbalist Maurice Mességué, “The infusion and rose syrup are fortifying tonics for the lungs and perform a tonic action on the whole organism: I recommend infusion and syrup,…..to those who are worried about the conditions of their respiratory system, to the convalescents and the elderly. Fragile children will receive valuable help in overcoming certain growth crises”.
What makes Sharbat-e-fida different?
The usual rose sharbats that you might have come across only include the rose petal extracts that are then added to sugar. However, Hitkary’s Sharbat-E-fida is not only rich with rose petal extracts but also is abundant with the therapeutic properties of Kewra, Gulab, Kashni, Anjbar, Shankh Pushpi, Brahmi & Khus. These herbs are known to have been mentioned in our oldest medicinal treatises like Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita and were used to prepare herbal concoctions. For example, in Ayurveda, kewra is used for treating Diabetes, fever, joint pain, and even psychiatric conditions. Shankpushpi, on the other hand, is widely popular for its use in curing ailments like memory loss, gastro diseases, and urinary infections. Sharbat-e-fida is also rich in silver petals and sandalwood oils that assure proper digestion and a healthy liver.
How can you consume it?
It can be added to ice water or milk if you want to savour some good old sharbats. For foodies who want to add some twist, it can be a food topping on your favourite shakes, smoothies, ice creams, or even desserts! If you want to relive the memories of your childhood, sharbat e fida is perfect for making chuskis, lollies, or even full jar sodas.
So why just drink a rose sharbat when you can relish a Sharbat-e fida?
To buy Sharbat-e-fida or our wide range of other flavoured drinks, click here!