It is that time of the year when mangoes have started appearing in the market, friends are exchanging recipes and there is excitement in the air as it is the heralding of the new year across India, be it Baisakhi, Bihu, Vishu, or Puthandu.

It is the puthandu (Tamil new year), and the gorgeous white neem flowers are bountiful. Across many households in the south of India, the flowers are incorporated into special recipes. Not just because they taste good, but also because they bring home the message that life is beautiful like the neem tree, but it also brings with it bitterness, which is necessary for the good health of the body, mind and soul. Here’s a quick recipe of neem flower rasam.