Dry Fruit Milk: The Nutritious And Immune-Boosting Drink You Need This Monsoon

As the monsoon season sets in, fortifying our immunity becomes a top priority to combat seasonal illnesses. Amidst the rain showers and cooler weather, a delightful and nourishing way to bolster our defenses is through wholesome and easy-to-make dry fruit milk. Packed with a plethora of nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, this immunity-boosting elixir combines the goodness of dry fruits with the comforting warmth of milk.

Read also: Flaxseed Milk: A Wholesome Plant-Based Alternative To Dairy

Why Should You Consume This Drink?

Dry fruit milk is highly beneficial for health due to its rich nutritional profile and immune-boosting properties. Packed with a variety of essential nutrients, dry fruit milk provides a concentrated source of vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and antioxidants. The combination of dry fruits such as almonds, cashews, pistachios, and dates, when blended with milk, creates a potent elixir that supports overall well-being.

These dry fruits are abundant in vitamins E and B-complex and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron, which promote bone health, improve energy levels and support cognitive function. Additionally, the antioxidants found in dry fruits help combat free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, contributing to a strengthened immune system. Regular consumption of dry fruit milk can aid in maintaining a healthy heart, improving digestion, and enhancing skin and hair health, making it a delicious and nourishing beverage to incorporate into one's daily diet.

Here's How You Can Make This Immunity-Boosting Drink At Home:

No-Sugar Dry Fruit Milk

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed dry fruits (almonds, cashews, pistachios, dates, raisins, etc.)

• 4 cups of milk (whole milk, skim milk, or plant-based milk of your choice)

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional, for flavour)

Instructions:

• Start by blanching the almonds. Place the almonds in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Let them soak for 5–10 minutes. Then, drain the water and peel the skin off the almonds. You can also soak the other dry fruits, like cashews and pistachios, briefly to soften them, but this step is optional.

• In a blender or food processor, add the blanched almonds, soaked cashews, pistachios, dates, raisins, and any other dry fruits of your choice. Blend until you get a fine paste. You can adjust the consistency by adding a little milk if needed.

• In a saucepan, pour the milk and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning.

• Once the milk is warm, add the ground dry fruit paste to the saucepan. Stir well to mix the dry fruit paste with the milk.

• Allow the dry fruit milk to simmer on low heat for about 5-7 minutes. Stir continuously to ensure that the dry fruit paste is well incorporated into the milk.

• If you prefer a smoother texture, you can strain the dry fruit milk through a fine mesh strainer. This step is optional, as some may enjoy the texture of the ground dry fruits in the milk.

• Pour the sugar-free dry fruit milk into serving glasses or cups. You can enjoy it warm or refrigerate it for a chilled version.

Notes:

• By omitting sugar, this dry fruit milk becomes naturally sweetened by the dates and raisins. The sweetness from the dry fruits adds a pleasant flavour to the milk.

• For a vegan version, use plant-based milk like almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk instead of dairy milk.

• Feel free to adjust the flavours according to your taste preferences. You can also add a pinch of saffron or ground cinnamon for additional flavour.

• This sugar-free dry fruit milk is a nutritious and satisfying drink that can be enjoyed as a healthy breakfast or an energising evening treat.