Ingredients & Ayurvedic Properties
| Ingredient | Weight | Ayurvedic Profile |
|---|---|---|
 Toor dal | 55 g | Sweet, Astringent · Heating |
 Thin lemon zest strips | 8 g | Sour · Heating |
 Fresh cilantro | 14 g | Astringent, Bitter · Cooling |
 Tamarind pulp | 8 g | Sour, Sweet · Heating |
 Cumin seeds | 4 g | Pungent, Bitter · Heating |
 Black pepper | 2 g | Pungent · Heating |
 Turmeric | 1 g | Bitter, Pungent, Astringent · Heating |
 Mustard seeds | 2 g | Pungent · Heating |
 Curry leaves | 3 g | Bitter, Pungent · Heating |
 Ghee | 10 g | Sweet · Cooling |
 Rock salt | 4 g | Salty · Cooling |
| Water | 1200 g | Whole culinary ingredient |
Step-by-Step Preparation
- Rinse the toor dal and simmer it in part of the water until soft; whisk it into a thin suspension.
- Crush the cumin and black pepper coarsely, keeping the mixture textured rather than powdered.
- Add the tamarind, thin lemon zest strips, fresh cilantro, turmeric, salt, and remaining water; simmer until the raw sour aroma softens.
- Stir in the dal liquid and heat only until the surface becomes foamy, without a prolonged hard boil.
- Warm the ghee, pop the mustard seeds, and crisp the curry leaves; pour this tempering over the rasam before serving.
Dosha Modifications & Seasonal Guidance
Vaidya Culinary Note (South Indian rasam tradition)
Lemon Rasam is a thin, sour-spiced broth intended for a modest portion. Vata: pair with soft rice and extra ghee. Pitta: reduce pepper and tamarind. Kapha: use the full pepper measure and little added fat.
USDA Nutrition Facts for Lemon Rasam
| Nutrient | Per 100g | Per Serving (1 serving (327g)) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy (Calories) | 26 kcal | 84 kcal |
| Protein | 1.1 g | 3.6 g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 3.5 g | 11.5 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.8 g | 2.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.3 g | 0.9 g |
| Total Fat | 1.0 g | 3.2 g |
| Calcium | 15.6 mg | 51.1 mg |
| Iron | 0.54 mg | 1.76 mg |
| Magnesium | 11.7 mg | 38.3 mg |
| Phosphorus | 19.8 mg | 65.0 mg |
| Potassium | 80 mg | 262 mg |
| Sodium | 124 mg | 406 mg |
| Zinc | 0.16 mg | 0.52 mg |
| Copper | 0.06 mg | 0.21 mg |
| Manganese | 0.13 mg | 0.42 mg |
| Selenium | 0.7 µg | 2.3 µg |
| Vitamin C | 0.7 mg | 2.2 mg |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 10.6 µg | 34.7 µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.09 mg | 0.29 mg |
| Vitamin K | 5.4 µg | 17.8 µg |
| Thiamin (Vitamin B1) | 0.03 mg | 0.11 mg |
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) | 0.01 mg | 0.04 mg |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | 0.17 mg | 0.57 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.02 mg | 0.06 mg |
| Folate (DFE) | 20.3 µg | 66.4 µg |
| Choline | 0.8 mg | 2.6 mg |
