Overall, India is a region that is famous worldwide for its delicious street food and other major cuisines. The eastern Indian state of Odisha is also a region that has surprised foodies across the country when it comes to its mouth-watering dishes. Odisha is a land of rich cultural heritage and delicious cuisine and is also home to a vibrant array of refreshing and unique beverages. However, the state, known for its tribal culture and its many ancient Hindu temples, is also home to many popular locally brewed drinks and beverages. Amid the scorching heat across India, these delicious drinks really sell like hotcakes. Here are some of them you should definitely try. (Also read: Taste of Odisha: 4 Delicious Easy to Make Summer Odia Recipes You Must Try )
Must try drinks and beverages in Odisha
Abinas Nayak, MasterChef winner and Corporate Chef of HT Lifestyle, shares some of Odisha’s popular drinks and beverages that are an absolute must-try.
1. Tank Torani
Tanka Torani is one of the most iconic Odisha rice-based drinks that are fresh in origin. Originating from the holy land of Jagannath Puri in Odisha, Tanka Torina is claimed to have been first prepared around the 10th century. To quench the thirst of devotees standing in long queues, the main drink is usually served in earthen pots at small stalls inside and outside the temple. The preparation of tanka torani consists of plain rice, which is mixed with dahi (yogurt) and first fermented in water. Then it can be mixed with curry leaves, coriander leaves, green chilies, and you can add lemon wedges, lime leaves, and roasted cumin powder, and salt before serving it.
2. Chenna Emerald
This drink is known to be specially prepared for the Odia New Year and is claimed to be very dear to Lord Jagannath. The popular summer drink is made with curd, black pepper, milk, and fruits, and sweetened with rock sugar, with fresh chenna or cottage cheese as its main ingredient. Its preparation involves mashing cottage cheese with banana and milk before adding it with cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, black pepper and ginger.
3. Bella Panna
Now, this is a special drink suitable for summer because it has both medicinal and cooling properties. The main ingredient of bela panna is ‘bela’, which is actually a wood apple. Like the other drinks on the list, Bela Panna is also a traditional drink that is also offered to Lord Jagannath as Prasad. Bela is mixed with grated coconut, chenna (cottage cheese), and black pepper to prepare the drink, and it is an incredible remedy for dyspepsia, gastritis, and hyperacidity.
4. Mandia page
Mandia Page is one of Odisha’s most famous summer drinks traditionally used by the tribal communities of the region to keep themselves cool. Made from ragi powder and boiled rice stale water, Mandia Page is a drink that helps keep your body cool in summer and keeps your stomach healthy. Freshly chopped green chillies and chopped coriander are also added to the breakfast.
5. Paluva sheet
Paluva pana is a famous summer drink of Odisha made from paluva (arrowroot powder), mashed banana, coconut, sugar, sugar or crystallized sugar, and black pepper powder. The super refreshing drink, which is a type of sheet offered to Lord Jagannath in Puri, is also topped with banana or grated coconut. Like other summer drinks of Odisha, paluva pana also helps in stomach ache.
6. base sheet
Another special mention should also be given to Aadhar Pana, the famous spicy drink of the region. It is said that offerings were made to the trinity of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra while returning from the Rath Yatra. A delicious summer drink made from milk and jaggery, said to be God’s favorite drink. It was said to serve the gods in earthen vessels that were large enough to reach their lips.
The name of the drink is derived from ‘adhar’ meaning ‘lip’ and ‘pana’ meaning ‘cold drink’. Adarpana is rich in fruits like ginger, nutmeg, camphor, black pepper, cardamom, cloves, apples, grapes, grated coconut, bananas, ripe mangoes and oranges.
7. Rabdi Lassi
Lassi is one of the most popular traditional drinks from India. Made from yogurt with a smoothie-like consistency, lassi is relished across the country to beat the heat during summers. Now, Odia Rabdi Lassi is one such type of traditional lassi that is a huge hit with diners. It is a regional summer delicacy topped with grated coconut, cashews, sweetened condensed milk (rabdi), and cherries. Exotic lassi is actually prepared using curd/dahi, which is then mixed with sugar or jaggery, ice cubes and water as desired. In many parts of Odisha, Rabdi Lassi is also served with vanilla ice cream, dry fruits and Bournvita.