Panta bhat or poita bhat is nothing but simple leftover cooked rice which is soaked and left for fermentation overnight. This dish is perfect for the summer since it cools the digestive system and protects the body from heat. It is widely consumed by the people of rural Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It goes well with sides like mashed potatoes, green chillies, onions, lemon, fish fry (preferably hilsa), papad, and roasted red chillies.(Instagram/@the_last_freefall)Studies suggest that this fermented rice dish has a good amount of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) which helps improve gut health.