If you are somebody who has frequently searched, researched, and re-researched dietary drinks, detox water recipes, and correct smoothie measurements, there are most likely very few ingredient combinations or natural detoxifiers that you have never seen. But one that’s probably new to you is a Persian drink called Khakshir. 

Khakshir is a summer drink, which literally translates to milk dirt in Persian, but don’t be wary — it contains neither milk nor dirt. I’m actually not sure why it’s called Khakshir. My packaging contains the English term “teff” on it, which I’m assuming is another name for it. In my somewhat futile research, I also stumbled on mugwort seeds (which sounds like a diseased herb from Harry Potter) or London rocket (which sounds like Pop Rocks, an even more fun idea). 

Now, what is Khakshir exactly, and why am I rambling on about its possible etymology?  

Khakshir is a mixture of tiny brown seeds with great health benefits. It is a natural liver detoxifier that is also known to improve your skin, clearing it of blemishes and evening its tone. It is also used to reduce fever and help with constipation. It doesn’t really have much of a taste, but it has an amazing cooling effect and feels extremely refreshing on a hot summer day.

Now, here’s how you prepare and drink this sharbat, which means sherbet or cool beverage in Persian. Learning new words while detoxifying — what could be better!

PLEASE NOTE:

Your Khakshir seeds need to be free of any dirt or soil specs, so in order to insure that your drink is safe, spoon a desired amount and let it sit in a glass of water for about 5-10 minutes. Stir, and then pour the contents into another glass of water, rinsing out any residue that is leftover in the first one. Repeat 2-3 times to insure that your drink is clean and safe.

Ingredients:

• Khakshir (1 tablespoon for 8 oz. of water)
• Sugar (1 teaspoon for 8 oz. of water)
• Ice cubes
• Water
• Rosewater (1 teaspoon; optional)
  • You can buy natural rosewater at most grocery stores or make your own using dried rose petals. Here’s a great link with detailed instructions. 

Method:

1. Pour the desired amount of khakshir into the water.
2. Add sugar; stir until dissolved.
3. Add ice cubes and rosewater (make sure to add the ice after the sugar is dissolved). 

Stir the mixture, watch the beautiful dance of the seeds, and take a sip. Stir, sip, repeat.

Enjoy!

Cover Image via PersianBasket