Chef Ahn Sung-jae made a refreshing drink for singer and actress IU.
In a video posted on the 15th to his YouTube channel, Chef Ahn Sung-jae met IU, who is currently starring in the MBC Friday–Saturday drama '21st Century Grand Prince Consort'. Meeting IU for the first time, Ahn said, “I'll make a drink that's tart, sweet, and refreshing. It's really simple,” and prepared a welcome drink: lemon lassi, a traditional Indian yogurt-based beverage.
Ahn said, “Lemons are extremely rich in vitamin C. So they're good for your health and good for your skin,” adding, “There are lots of bottled lemon juices that are easy to drink, but nothing beats the flavor of freshly squeezed lemons.” Starting with fresh lemon juice, he quickly finished the lemon lassi and served it to IU.
IU said, “The studio is filled with a refreshing scent,” and after taking a sip, she exclaimed, “This is so good,” clearly impressed.
As more people drink lemon juice—or lemon juice mixed with olive oil—in the morning as part of detox and anti-aging routines, the lemon lassi shared by Chef Ahn Sung-jae, well known as a judge on 'Culinary Class Wars', is also drawing attention.
Lemons, for clearer- and firmer-looking skin
As Chef Ahn Sung-jae noted, the key nutrient in lemons is vitamin C. Per 100 g, lemons contain about 53 mg of vitamin C. Vitamin C is needed for collagen production, so it helps support skin elasticity, and its antioxidant effects help protect the skin from external irritants and oxidative stress. Along with lemon juice, getting enough sleep, using sun protection, and eating a balanced diet can help keep skin looking clear and healthy.
Lemons are low in calories and have a strong aroma, so adding them to water or drinks can help reduce reliance on sweetness. The habit of drinking lemon water in the morning can increase hydration and may help “reset” your palate before meals. However, if you have acid reflux or gastritis, drinking it on an empty stomach may be uncomfortable. Also, to protect tooth enamel, it's best not to make it overly concentrated.
Lemon lassi
Lassi is a yogurt-based drink commonly enjoyed in India and South Asia. It is typically made by mixing yogurt with water or milk and adding fruit or spices; lemon lassi is a refreshing version made by adding lemon juice. It provides yogurt's protein, calcium, and probiotics, and the lemon's tang makes it easy to enjoy as an after-meal drink or a dessert-style beverage.
Lemon lassi can be a relatively easy option for skin and weight management. The protein and probiotics in yogurt may help with satiety and gut health, and lemon adds vitamin C. However, adding a lot of sugar, sweetened condensed milk, or syrup increases calories and sugar, which is not ideal for weight loss.
Ahn Sung-jae’s lemon lassi recipe
Ingredients : Lemons, plain yogurt (unsweetened), sweetened condensed milk, water, black pepper.
Directions : 1. Cut three lemons in half. 2. Squeeze the juice using a lemon squeezer. 3. Add about 850 ml of plain yogurt (unsweetened). 4. Add lemon zest. 5. Blend in a blender until well combined. 6. Add sweetened condensed milk for sweetness. 7. Add water (to make it easier to drink). 8. Add more lemon zest for aroma and mix well. 9. To bring out the lemon flavor, sprinkle in a pinch of black pepper to finish with a mildly spicy, peppery note.
Tips : 1. Chef Ahn strongly recommended using lemon zest—thinly scraped from the yellow peel—saying, “Lemon juice has its aroma, but the aroma of the oil (natural oil) in the peel is half of what makes a lemon,” and he added it twice. 2. If you're trying to lose weight, you can replace sweetened condensed milk with a small amount of honey or oligosaccharide syrup. This reduces sweetness and boosts the refreshing tang, making it suitable as a lighter after-meal drink.
