Indian Sherbets

Indian Sherbets: organic and refreshing to the core
Owing its origin in the Persian region, the sherbet came to India via its Mughal rulers. Often called the 'drink of kings', sherbets are essentially a concoction of various fruits, flowers and herbs that are dispersed in a sugary solution. Most sherbets are now available in the packaged form wherein some water needs to be added to the sherbet extract and a refreshing drink is readily created. Many folks believe that sherbet originated in the Muslim world owing to its religious reservation against consuming alcohol. Whatever may have been the reasons; this ancient drink is very relevant and enjoyable in the contemporary world too.

For starters, sherbets are prepared from fruit extracts. Hence, one or two glasses of sherbets serve as a cheaper and easier method of compensating for the lack of daily, recommended intake of fruits. Indian sherbets have an inherent cooling quality. This aspect stems from the fact that the Indian subcontinent is burned red, hot for a long duration, every year. Hence, there is a need for a drink that doesn't overdo the sugar content and helps to regulate the body temperature in the searing heat.

Understanding varieties among sherbets
Many varieties of sherbets particularly those prepared from fruits like raw mangoes, herbs like khus-khus or flower extracts like concentrated rose juice are more famous in Indian households. Apart from protecting against common day issues like sunstrokes and skin infections due to humidity and heat, these sherbets are affordable too. They can be easily stored in the refrigerator and need negligible preservation. There are many other varieties are sherbets that are more exclusive and thus, slightly expensive. These include sherbets prepared from the extract of quince and combined with coriander juice. Such sherbets are consumed as appetizers and body-cleansers. Other fruits used to prepare Indian sherbets include peaches, apples and pears.

Sherbets: a healthier alternative
It should be noted that apart from their invigorating taste and ease-of-use, sherbets are significantly healthier than the more common, liquid beverages like carbonated drinks. Sherbets aren't infused with preservatives or chemical taste enhancers. They have negligible use of carbonated content that ensures that they don't add to the waistline while quenching the thirst of an individual. Further, there are certain sherbets that are prescribed in the Indian medicine system for those with gastrointestinal problems. Sherbet prepared from a fruit endemic to India, called the 'bel', is known to treat and prevent gastroenteritis and contribute towards the overall immunity of the body.