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In India, the tradition of eating mukhwas after meals is prevailed for centuries. Mukhwas is a traditional Indian mouth freshener made of seeds, herbs, and spices. Mukhwas, are mostly eaten after meals. It has various benefits, as it reduces bad breath, aids digestion, and offers an enjoyable taste. The word "mukhwas" is derived from the Hindi terms "mukh", meaning mouth, and "vas", meaning smell, emphasising the fundamental function of improving the breath.
Mukhwas is a staple of Indian cuisine and culture, appearing in both households and restaurants. The ingredients vary significantly, but they typically include fennel seeds, sesame seeds, grated coconut, betel leaves, and sugar crystals. Some variations include fragrant spices like cardamom, anise seeds, and cloves, which improve both taste and digestive health. Here are some mukhwas and their benefits that you can easily prepare at home.
1. Fennel Seeds (Saunf) And Mishri
This is the most common yet loved mukhwas in India. People generally love to eat saunf due to its flavour and freshness. Its sweet flavour is refreshing, and when combined with mishri, it offers a yummy treat that aids digestion and helps relieve bloating. Fennel seeds have a natural, sweet, and refreshing flavour that helps freshen breath. Made with Fennel seeds, sugar, or mishri. Dry roast fennel seeds until they release a fragrant aroma. Let them cool. Combine with mishri and enjoy!
2. Cardamom (Elaichi)
Cardamom pods are chewed after meals because of their strong, aromatic flavour, which helps to refresh breath. In addition, cardamom helps reduce indigestion, gas, and stomach cramps, making it a tasty and useful mouth freshener.
3. Rock Salt And Ajwain
Ajwain seeds mixed with rock salt, are famous for their digestive properties, which help in indigestion and gas. Their strong flavour reduces bad breath, making it a popular choice to be consumed after meals. Dry roast ajwain seeds and mix them with a pinch of rock salt. Store in an airtight container. Consume it after meals to get rid of bloating.
4. Paan
Betel leaves are mixed with gulkand, fennel seeds (Saunf), and other ingredients to create a flavourful mouth freshener. The pleasant aroma of betel leaves and the digestive benefits of the mix make it a popular choice for freshening breath and aiding digestion. It helps reduce stomach discomfort after meals. To make paan at your home, start by spreading a layer of gulkand (rose petal jam) on a betel leaf. Add a small amount of saunf, grated coconut, and cardamom powder. Fold the leaf very nicely and secure it with a toothpick.
5. Mint And Coriander Seeds
Dried mint leaves combined with coriander and fennel seeds, along with sugar crystals, provide a cooling and refreshing mouth freshener. This mix relaxes the stomach, aids digestion, and offers a delightful taste experience after meals. It's super cooling in nature, making it gut-friendly and refreshing. Mix dried mint leaves with coriander and fennel seeds. Add sugar crystals for a sweet touch. Store in an airtight container. After meals, serve it and enjoy the mukhwas.
Also Read- Delving Into The Origin Of Mukhwas In India
Benefits Of Traditional Indian Mouth Fresheners
Natural Fresheners: Almost all mukhwas, are made with natural ingredients such as saunf, cardamom, and mint. These control bad breath and effectively work without any artificial flavour.
Improves Digestive Health: Most of the mukhwas are made with fennel seeds, ajwain, and coriander, which are beneficial for digestion. Which helps stimulate digestive enzymes and reduce gas and bloating.
Pleasant Flavour: Mukhwas provides a fresh taste experience. The mixture of sweet, aromatic, and spicy flavours makes them a popular choice after meals.
Customisable: Traditional Indian mouth fresheners can be easily customised according to individual tastes and preferences, allowing for a variety of flavour combinations and ingredients.
