SATTU: The Energy Powerhouse.

This one takes me to another memory lane. The summers of Jabalpur. The scorching sun looming over our heads, little blue and white slippers on our feet and a bat with a plastic ball. That is how summer vacations began for us those days. Gladly there were no mobile phones or video games that kept us locked under the roof. Our day began early in the morning and we spent all afternoons on the ground, sweating and parched. I distinctly remember one summer evening when we went to our nani’s home. She made me a glass full of thick ivory coloured drink that I gulped in a go. That was the day I met the protein powerhouse of Indian families- SATTU.

A sattu powder is made from roasted Bengal Gram or chana and wheat barley. Nani added some milk, some sugar and that gave this drink a perfect taste. As I grew up, this little drink fascinated me more.

It became a practice to have a glass of sattu especially in summers.

Being the explorer I am, I talked to my nani and her friends, googled some stuff and found some astonishing facts about this wonder drink.

One of legends I stumbled upon is that Sattu powder originated in Tibet. They would call it ‘Tsampa’. It was popular as the drink of the monks.

Buddhist monks travelled from place to place, meditated and enlightened themselves in the forests, by the rivers and at inaccessible places. It was obvious that they had no time to engage in cooking a meal and carrying utensils, fuel and other accessories. So finally, Sattu came to the rescue. They carried sattu wherever they went. It gave them energy, proteins and kept them cool. The powder form made it easy to digest, kept the tummy full and nourished them adequately so that they could travel distances without hunger.

Another tale of sattu dates back much earlier than this one.

The Quran has a mention of Sattu powder. Surprising, isn’t it?

Once upon a time, Prophet Mohammed was crossing a village to reach Khyber. He asked his follower to ask men to bring food to his table. One of the men brought him a rich drink made from sattu and dry dates. He called it HAIS.

It quenched the Prophet's thirst as well as made him tummy full. Back then they called it Saweeq.

Saweeq became popular in Arab culture eventually, and was served as a blessed sweet in weddings.

In the Kargil war of 1999, the Ladakh Scouts survived on a diet of Sattu powder.

Let us look at its amazing benefits now. Sattu powder acts as a coolant. It regulates your body temperature in summer and quenches your thirst. Since Bengal Gram and Barley are dry roasted, all the nutrients are locked in and not lost in the grinding process.

With an awesome amount of insoluble fibre, Sattu helps in digestion. It prevents constipation and acidity.

It has a low glycemic index which is great if you are a diabetic.

Sattu powder keeps your tummy full and keeps you away from cravings. Hence it aids weight loss too. Organic sattu powder can have multitudes of health benefits.

So when are you getting this powerhouse of proteins for yourself?