There’s something about summers in Odisha that’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived through one. The kind of heat that settles into your bones, makes your kurta stick to your back, and turns your 4 pm chai into a test of endurance. But tucked away in this sticky, sweaty chaos is something wonderfully simple. Something our grandmothers always reached for. Sattu. Yes, that unassuming, light brown powder sitting quietly on the kitchen shelf. It might not look like much, but during Odisha’s unforgiving summers, it becomes nothing short of a lifeline—a true desi summer remedy that’s stood the test of time.
A Drink That’s More Than a Drink
For most of us, summer coolers mean fizzy bottles and synthetic juices—easy to grab but heavy on sugar and light on nutrition. And that’s where sattu quietly shines. Made by slow-roasting Bengal gram (chana) and then stone-grinding it to a fine powder, sattu is as real as it gets. No preservatives. No lab-made color. Just grounded, earthy nourishment. At home, maa would mix a few spoons of sattu with cold water, a pinch of salt, lemon juice, and jeera—her version of the classic Odisha sattu drink recipe. And just like that, she’d hand over a glass of what she called “Odisha’s own ORS.” One sip and you’d feel like your insides just sighed in relief.
Why It Works: The Science in Simplicity
Sattu is naturally rich in fiber, plant protein, iron, and magnesium—key nutrients that help your body recover from heat exhaustion. Unlike packaged health drinks, it doesn’t spike your sugar or leave you bloated. It hydrates, energizes, and satisfies.
Here are some top Sattu benefits in summer that make it a seasonal must-have:
- Keeps the gut cool – Sattu is alkalizing, which helps reduce acidity, a common summer woe.
- Prevents dehydration – Mixed with cold water, it helps retain fluids and salt in the body.
- Natural energy – Gives steady stamina without the crash of sugar-loaded drinks.
- Supports weight loss – Many drink sattu for weight loss because it keeps you full longer and curbs cravings.
- Protein-rich – One of the best summer foods for energy, especially when your appetite dips.
In short, sattu isn’t just an old-school cooler. It’s smart, seasonal nutrition. (And yes, if you’re wondering about the numbers—check out the sattu nutrition facts online. They’re pretty impressive!)
A Morning Ritual Worth Reviving
In many Odia households, a glass of sattu water isn’t just a summer drink—it’s a ritual. Farmers and daily wage earners have relied on it for generations. A handful of sattu and a pinch of salt could power them through hours of work under the sun. Today, we may be indoors with fans and ACs, but our bodies still crave that same balance. When it comes to how to stay cool naturally in summer, this drink is as effective as it is humble.
Not Just for Drinking
If you’re not a fan of sipping your nutrition, sattu can be turned into:
- Stuffed sattu parathas with green chutney
- Laddoos for evening snacks
- Sattu pancakes with jaggery
- Cooling sattu and buttermilk lassi
It’s simple, it’s seasonal, and it’s deeply satisfying.
Sattu by Mithai: The Way It Was Always Meant to Be
At Mithai, we don’t treat sattu as just another product—we treat it as part of our home. Our sattu is made using slow-roasting techniques in iron pans, ground in small batches, and never loaded with fillers. It’s the kind of thing you can give to your child, your parents, or your own tired self—and feel good about it. Because beating Odisha’s summer isn’t just about cooling down. It’s about reconnecting—with tradition, with real food, and with what your body truly needs. Have a glass today. Not just to beat the heat, but to feel a little more like home.
— Team Mithai