Ahhh...Rooh Afza!!. Review on Rooh Afza

Summer time again! Mumbai has become hotter than ever... with temperatures soaring over 36 degrees. It is indeed difficult to resist pampering yourself with some cold drinks, ice creams and stuff alike. I wasn't an exception...and the result? I am down with fever, cough, throat irritation and terrible cold in this season :-( (Kindly leave your 'get well soon' messages in the comments ;-) ...just kidding! )

Here is something for all of you who would like to avoid such a condition and still manage to keep yourself cool in this scorching heat...Rooh Afza!

Roof Afza - is a product of the 150-crore group of Hamdard Laboratories, which is known as ''the global house of herbal products''. It is the world’s largest manufacturer of Unani medicines based in Pakistan. It follows the Greece-Arab system of natural medicines for various ailments...and boasts of producing over 300 different products for numerous health requirements. (For more details you can check out https://hamdard.com.pk/).

What is Roof Afza?

Let me put this in their words that explain it best; Rooh Afza is a premier natural cold drink, proved beyond ambiguity that it is more than a cold drink. It is a blend of pure crystalline sugar, distilled extracts of citrus flowers, aquas of fruits, vegetables and cooling herbal ingredients processed to impart the stimulating taste and unparallel quality.

Roof Afza is a thick red (dark pink you may say) syrup ...''sherbet''. A non-alcoholic sweetened beverage. It contains extracts of fruits, vegetables and flowers ....including watermelon, pineapple, orange, coriander, spinach, carrot, lemon and rose. Unlike other drinks, it does not contain preservatives or any other artificial chemicals. Packed traditionally in glass bottles with a label depicting the look of the East. Not really attractive unless you are an antique-lover! This drink has been in the market for over 90 years now with little or no modification made in the original ingredients. It is available in India, Pakistan ,USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, the Middle East and the U.K. The 700ml bottle is priced at Rs.65/-

The drink derived its name from its function of ''giving enlightenment (Afza) to the soul (Rooh)''. Isn't that interesting?? One of the advertisements of Roof Afza said '' Sherbet Rooh Afza, a drink that rejuvenates you with every sip. Enriched with the goodness of fruits and vegetables, Rooh Afza promises you the fun of good health, any time of the year. Enjoy life with the best nature can offer.''

Health benefits

Roof Afza is not just a thirst quencher ..it is supposed to be effective in dealing with giddiness, anemia, irritability and restlessness. The official site (as given above) gives the following benefits of the drink:

~ Combats the enervating summer heat

~ Replenishes lost strength

~ Satisfies thirst completely

~ Keeps you cool in scorching summers

~ Makes you feel fresh and energized

Who cares?? Just enjoy the drink!! :- )

How to enjoy Rooh Afza?

For those fond of milk ...just mix 2 spoons of the syrup to cold milk. * Roof Afza adds to taste of Nimboo-pani (lemon water/ lemonade). * My brother likes it with plain soda. * A few drops over vanilla ice cream gives it a different taste altogether and adds to the aroma as well! *Add a spoon to pudding. * The best and the simplest way is to add it to cold water (with/without ice) in the proportion 1:6 or as diluted/concentrated you would prefer. * Mail me if you find another recipe!

My Opinion ...

I had been fond of Rooh Afza right since my childhood and so was my Grandpa. We shared some great moments together over a glass of this drink. He had mentioned other benefits of this drink too which I conveniently managed to forget as I grew-up. For me, it was just a lovely drink. Grandpa is no more…otherwise (I assume) I would've never fallen sick this time of the year. He wasn't here to recommend Rooh Afza when I was enjoying other drinks ...giving no heed to my sensitive throat. Thanks to my granny who reminded me of the same. Thought of passing on the word to all of you here at MS!

Go ahead...Enjoy! And, have a cool summer! :- )