Cooling From Within: Ayurvedic Summer Recipes

When the summer sun rises high, our bodies respond instinctively: we seek shade, lighter meals, and ways to feel cool and calm from the inside out. Ayurveda calls this the Pitta season, when the fire element dominates, often leading to symptoms like irritability, inflammation, poor digestion, or fatigue if not balanced correctly.

One of the most effective ways to restore that balance? Through what we eat.

At Ananda in the Himalayas, seasonal eating is a vital part of every wellness journey. With input from their Executive Sous Chef Palash Gajbe, they’re sharing a selection of simple, delicious summer recipes rooted in Ayurvedic principles — all designed to support digestion, reduce internal heat, and restore vitality.

Hydrating, gut-soothing, and deeply balancing for Pitta and Kapha doshas.

This spiced buttermilk is a super refreshing drink and is also considered a functional food that aids digestion and maintains electrolyte balance in summer heat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh curd/yoghurt
• 2 cups water
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• A pinch of black salt
• ¼ tsp grated ginger
• A few curry leaves
• ½ tsp ghee (optional for tempering)
• A pinch of turmeric (optional)

Method:

1. Blend the curd and water until smooth and frothy.
2. In a small pan, heat ghee (if using) and lightly temper the cumin, ginger, and curry leaves.
3. Add to the buttermilk with black salt and turmeric. Mix well and serve chilled.

Why it works: Buttermilk cools the system, supports gut health, and boosts Agni gently.