Minty Ginger Lime Watermelon Agua Fresca with Chia seeds

After a busy couple of 'vacation' weeks I am back with a new post and I must admit that I really did miss blogging a lot, even while relaxing by the pool on the cruise ship. Well, here is a refreshing take on a healthy summer drink-  Minty Lime Watermelon Agua Fresca with Chia seeds. With watermelons aplenty in the market during this season, I guess this is one of the best time of the year to enjoy this crisp and delicious drink!

Agua fresca is a Latin American drink made with water, a small amount of sweetener, and fruit, grains, or flowers. The result is a very cooling, refreshing drink which pairs well with a wide variety of foods and is enjoyable on its own. Agua fresca is associated with Mexican cuisine in particular, and many Mexican restaurants keep several vats of agua fresca by the counter, allowing guests to fill their own glasses as needed. It is also very easy to make at home.
In Spanish, “agua fresca” means “fresh water.” Many people describe the flavor of agua fresca as extremely fresh, especially when it is made with seasonally available fruits. Some common ingredients in agua fresca include: lime, lemon, cantaloupe, watermelon, mango, guava, hibiscus flowers, mint, and grains like rice, although these ingredients are not used together. 

Health Benefits

• Watermelon is extremely alkaline-forming in the body. There are a host of benefits to this.
• Watermelon is the lycopene leader among fresh fruits and vegetables. Deep red varieties of watermelon have replaced the tomato as the lycopene king. The red pigment — also found in apricots, pink grapefruit, and papaya — is an important antioxidant. It has been found to be helpful in reducing the risk of prostate, breast, and endometrial cancers, as well as lung and colon cancer. Lycopene’s ability to neutralize singlet oxygen radicals was better then the antioxidant abilities of beta-carotene and vitamin E. 
• Watermelon is a diuretic and was a homeopathic treatment for kidney patients before dialysis became widespread.
• Watermelon is a very good source of potassium; it helps muscle and nerve function. It can ease inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis.
• Watermelon is a certified heart healthy food by the American Heart Association.

Did you know?

• Watermelon has an extremely high water content, approximately 92%
• While we often associate a deep red/pink color with watermelons, there are many varieties that feature orange, yellow, or white flesh.
• Watermelons are generally believed to have originated in Africa several thousand years ago and to have traveled over time from Africa to Asia to Europe to North America. Their arrival in Asia and the Middle East is believed to date back to approximately 900–1,000 A.D., and their arrival in Europe is estimated to have occurred in 1300–1400 A.D. It was not until Europeans began to colonize North America that watermelons arrived in what is now the U.S.

Chia Seeds

Ingredients

4 cups - Watermelon, cubed
1 cup - Water
2 Tsp - Chia seeds
1/2 Tsp - Fresh Ginger, grated
2 Tbsp - Lime juice
1/4 Cup - Sugar (adjust as per taste)
Few Mint leaves
Ice cubes

Directions

• Mix Chia seeds and water and keep it aside for 10 minutes. The chia seeds will fluff up.
• In a blender add watermelon, ginger, sugar and lime juice and pulse.
• In a big pitcher add the muddled mints leaves, watermelon juice, ice, water-chia mixture and give it a stir. Serve chilled

Notes and Tips

• Try variations with any fruit of your choice like cantaloupe, mango, guava
• You can substitute Chia seeds with Basil seeds (used for falooda/faluda). If you dont have either you can opt it out as it doesn't make a taste difference
• Nutrients in Watermelon 1.00 cup (152.00 grams)

  Nutrient	%Daily Value
  Vitamin C	20.50%
  Vitamin A	17.20%
  Potassium	4.80%
  Magnesium	3.80%
  Calories(45)	2%