The effect of climate change has already engrossed us with a abnormal rise in the temperature and a consequential extended summer in many parts of India. The hot & humid climate is still persisting with a soaring temperature of 38 to 40 degree celsius here in northeastern India, even in the month of September. The only way to have some respite from this exhaustive weather is by keeping yourself cool & hydrated throughout the day. And nothing can be more alluring than coolants, juices & sharbats that too when it is loaded with numerous health benefits for a refreshing & energizing feel.

Thekera sarbat is one of the exceptional drinks for summer that is not very popular even in this region, where this fruit is available in abundance. Although the ingredient is commonly available here and are frequently used in making tangy curries (Tenga) in assamese local households during summer, yet this thekera sharbat is not consumed widely due to its extreme tanginess. You may still find it in some corners around the state where its sweet & sour sharbat is being savoured with relish.

Thekera in assamese or Thoikor in bengali is a sour fruit belonging to the genus Garcinia of Cluciaceae family which is native to Asia, America, Australia, tropical & southern Africa and Polynesia. The plants in this genus are commonly known as saptrees, mangosteens or garcinias. Garcinia plants are evergreen trees or shrubs and are typically flowering plants i.e. angiosperms.

 Garcinia has immense medicinal properties which makes it popular as a folk medicine. The bark of its species e.g., Garcinia Cowa which is endemic to Northeastern India has antipyetic and antimicrobial properties. The latex of the plant is an antipyretic, whereas the fruits and leaves of the plant helps in improving blood circulation, treating cough & indigestion and also has laxative properties. The roots of the plant relieves fever and sun-dried slices of the fruit are used in the folk medicine for the treatment of dysentery. They are found to relieve joint pain and also have anti-inflammatory properties. They are rich in antioxidants. The fruits cure ulcers and are very good for the liver with anti-diabetic and blood generating properties.

It is said that the Ahom soldiers in Assam during their fight with the mughals consumed the juice of a particular type of thekera ( scientific name : garcinia cowa) with jaggery for strength and fought them back successfully. Consuming raw thekera juice along with jaggery for strength is recommended in buranji(s) or scriptures, the traditional record keeping process of the Ahom age, which can be considered as historiography of medieval Assam.

RECIPE:

Ingredients :

1. Thekera/Thoikor/Garcinia – 5 to 6 pieces. (For 1 tall glass sharbat or appxly. 250ml)
2. Jaggery – 1 tbsp. (grated or crushed)
3. Roasted cumin seeds powder – 1/2 tsp.
4. Black pepper corn – 1/2 tsp.
5. Black salt – 1/4th tsp.

Preparation :

1. Soak the thekera pieces in water overnight or at least for one hour to extract its tangy pulp.
2. Mix the pulp in the soaked water nicely to get it dissolved in the water completely.
3. Strain the juice in a glass, add jaggery, cumin seeds powder, black pepper & black salt and stir the mixture till the jaggery gets dissolved completely and everything blends together.
4. Add more water to make it one glassful.
5. Your healthy, refreshing drink is ready to amuse you.
6. Serve chilled or as it is.

Courtesy:

1. https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Ashish-Kar-2154049748
2. 354824803_Protective_effect_of_standardised_fruit_extract_of_Garcinia_cowa_Roxb_ex_Choisy_against_ethanol_induced_gastric_mucosal_lesions_in_Wistar_rats
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garcinia
4. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garcinia-cambogia#:~:text=The%20rind%20contains%20a%20chemical,and%20to%20improve%20athletic%20performance.
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garcinia_cowa