Peaches to Balance Your Dosha

Sweet Relief: Refreshing Peach Dishes to Balance Your Dosha This Summer

Ah, summer. Sun-drenched days of picnics in the park, lazy afternoons by the pool, and the explosion of juicy, vibrant fruits in your mouth. And what’s more juicy than our favorite summer fruit— PEACHES!

These velvety fruits are fleshy by nature, and taste like summer in your mouth! Beyond just the looks and taste, peaches play an important role in balancing the three doshas—in addition to being rich in Prana or life force.

There are three main doshas (body types) that make us who we are, as per Ayurveda—vata (air), pitta (fire and earth), and kapha (water). Ayurveda, the ancient Indian holistic system, offers a unique perspective on consuming peaches in a healthy yet delicious way, according to our dosha makeup.

Summer, due to its long days and intense heat, is known to be the pitta season. This means pitta dosha, characterized by fire and heat, is more aggravated than usual and leads to irritability, excess heat in the body, and major digestive issues. And that’s where peaches come in. Known for their sweet, cooling, slightly alkaline, and astringent nature, this sour and sweet fruit pacifies pitta and promotes calmness in the body. They’re also high on sattva (purity) as they’re also gentle liver cleansers.

Now that you know why we love peaches in summer (especially for the pitta folks), let’s explore three tantalizing recipes that are easy to make and gratifying on the taste buds.

RECIPE 1: Caramelized Peaches With Cardamom-Coconut Sprinkles

Ingredients

4 halved or quartered peaches (white, yellow, donut, etc)
4 tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp ghee or coconut oil
3 tbsp shredded, unsweetened coconut*
1–1½ teaspoon cardamom powder or seeds ground up
pinch of sea salt or rock salt

Directions

1. Rinse and dry peaches completely.
2. Cut the peaches in halves or quarters and remove the pit.
3. In a preheated cast iron pan, add coconut and gently stir for even toasting.
4. When the coconut changes color, add the cardamom powder and salt. Toast until the coconut is light brown and you can smell the cardamom. Remove from pan into a bowl.
5. Over medium heat, add the ghee to the cast iron pan.
6. Once the ghee is melted and warmed, place the peaches with the non-skin side down, in the pan.
7. Cook over medium-low heat until they caramelize and slightly soften, 10–15 minutes.
8. Remove peaches from the pan and turn off the stove. While the pan is still hot, sprinkle the coconut on top of the halved or quartered peaches.
9. Drizzle warm maple syrup on top.
10. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Some Key Tips

• You may have to do this in batches depending on the size of your pan.
• To prevent sticking, a good layer of oil is needed per batch.
• Combining with yogurt or milk is not recommended as it hinders digestion.
• Brush the peaches with maple syrup before you cook them to caramelize them more.

RECIPE 2: Baked Oatmeal with Peach and Cardamom

Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups milk of choice
1 tbsp ground flaxseed
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 medium peach (finely sliced)
1 tbsp tahini (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F or 180C.
2. Mix all the ingredients (except the peaches) in a baking dish until well combined.
3. Finely slice the peaches and layer on top of the oatmeal mix.
4. Place in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until turning golden brown.
5. Serve and drizzle with some runny tahini if desired.

Go Vegan & Gluten Free

• Do you prefer a plant-based breakfast? Use nut milk instead of regular milk.
• For your meal to be gluten-free, just make sure your oats are certified GF.

So go ahead and prep a week’s worth of breakfast in just 5 minutes!

RECIPE 3: Basil and Peach Drink

Ingredients

1 cup water
1 tbsp dried basil leaves
1 cup ripe peaches (peeled)
1 lime
2 tbsp honey (substitute with agave nectar or maple syrup)
½ cup ice

Directions

1. Boil the water and pour it over the basil.
2. Let it steep for 5-7 minutes.
3. Allow to cool to room temperature and strain.
4. Blend the basil infusion, peeled and pitted peaches, sweetener, lime juice, and ice.
5. Taste and adjust the sweetener and lime juice according to your taste.

There’s nothing better than a nice cool drink on a hot summer day. We swear by it!

This summer, embrace the vibrant peaches for the way they can promote balance within your body according to Ayurveda. With these three easy and delicious recipes, get the goodness into your breakfast, dessert, or even a refreshing drink. Embrace the pitta-pacifying power of peaches, and have a delightful summer!