Summer Tips: Changing Tastes with the Seasons

Along with dinacharya, daily routines, ritucharya or seasonal routines are key components of Ayurvedic selfcare. In both daily and seasonal routines, the Ayurvedic texts advise proper use of the six tastes. (If you’re new to Ayurveda, and not familiar with the six tastes, please watch our video Ayurveda Basics 2: The Six Tastes

In dinacharya, we make use of the tastes most appropriate for our prakriti or body type, while in ritucharya, we adjust the tastes in our diet for the changing seasons.

Whereas we are accustomed to a four seasons model, the Ayurvedic texts consider six seasons, each made up of two lunar months. Since there are six seasons on this model, each one of them relates to one of the six tastes.

We’re now in grīshma ritu, the summer season. At this time, the pitta-provoking pungent taste is predominant, and our strength is at its lowest. It’s best to limit the three tastes that provoke pitta—pungent, sour and salty. Cue gelato—the sweet taste is ideal for this season. Not that we should live on desserts; this is a good time to enjoy summer fruits like mango, cherries, apricots and peaches, as long as they are well-ripened and not too sour. Strawberries are in season but can be a bit on the sour side. I like my strawberries the English way, with cream, to modify the sour taste.

Milk is a good summer food. Enjoy mangoes with saffron milk, or have warm milk with a delicious spoonful of rose petal jam.

 Vegetables like summer squash, zucchini, asparagus, carrots and beets are fresh and tender in summer and offer a mildly sweet taste. Enjoy them with kichari, risotto, pilaf and similar dishes that also offer a mildly sweet taste.

But as summer is the best season for desserts,  try some of the seasonal desserts on our website like Vegan Strawberry Blancmange  , Mango Stew , Vegan Flourless Chocolate Cake with raspberries, and our Vedic-Mexican nervine drink, Soma horchata. 

During the summer heat, be sure to drink plenty of water and summer teas like rehydration tea, or Gypsy Tea.

Stay cool and enjoy the summer!

 Alakananda Ma M.B., B.S. (Lond.) is an Ayurvedic Doctor (NAMA) and graduate of a top London medical school. She is co-founder of Alandi Ayurveda Clinic and Alandi Ayurveda Gurukula in Boulder Colorado, as well as a spiritual mother, teacher, flower essence maker and storyteller. Alakananda is a well known and highly respected practitioner in the Ayurveda community both nationally and internationally.

Enliven your holistic health! Visit Alakananda Ma in Alandi Ashram’s ayurvedic clinic to support the overall rejuvenation of your body, mind, and spirit. In-person and virtual appointments available. Book now!