Chaas(Indian Buttermilk)

Learn how to make Chaas(Indian Buttermilk) with spices | Indian Spiced Buttermilk Recipe

Summers are the time of never ending thirst, when appetite goes for a toss and all we want is something cool, filling and light at the same time. This Indian Buttermilk with spices is perfect refreshing drink which is not only delicious but also aids in digestion and cools down the body during harsh and dry summers.

About the Recipe

Yogurt or Curd or Dahi popularly called in Indian households is widely used in summers for different kind of drinks, curries and dips or side dishes like raita.

Chaas is made with yogurt diluted in water. There are many variations like Masala Chaas, Pudina Chaas, Dungar chaas are consumed all over India and are known with different names.

What is Chaas/Mathaa

Chaas/Mathaa is a yogurt based drink which is good for body and aids in digestion. It cools and hydrates the body in summers and used in Ayurvedic treatments for stomach and skin disorders.

It is very popular in Indian Subcontinent and is served with or after meals.

In India it is known with different names in different states and regions. In south India it is known as Sambaram in Kerala, Neer Mor in Tamil, in Andhra it is known as Majjiga.

Traditional way of making Chass

Traditionally we make Chaas by churning chilled thick yogurt with chilled water, separating the milk fat(butter) from it. The whey/liquid which remains after separating butter is Chaas.

I remember my mom made Chaas by churning and blending yogurt and water with wooden churner. She used to separate the butter that formed on top of buttermilk.

I also remember my maternal grandmother and other females in our ancestral village used to churn butter in morning (in summers) from the yogurt that was set the previous night and used the whey for drinking as Chaas or Mathaa(in local language).

Thick yogurt set with full fat milk gives good quantity of butter. Nowadays in cities the quality of milk that we get is not very good. So, we get very less butter.

And that's why, many people now make Chaas by diluting one part yogurt with 3-4 parts of water (that's the way I too make), as churning out butter, may take a long and with many using store-bought yogurt, you get a very negligible amount of butter.

Health Benefits

It is very good for stomach and skin related problems when consumed properly or as per ayurveda. Some of the benefits of having Chaas:

• If you feel bloated after heavy meals, having some buttermilk makes you feel lighter instantly. The herbs and spices and buttermilk aids in digestion relieve, stomach problems associated with gas, acidity, and constipation.
• These days buttermilk is also a part of weight loss diets and programs as one of the detox drinks for it body cleansing properties.
• Sipping on the buttermilk during fasting helps to keeps the energy level up and keeps away the hunger pangs. Use sendha namak (Rock salt if you don't use table salt when fasting).
• Do you know it a very good cleanser for skin and hair. Apply a spoonful buttermilk with a pinch of Turmeric to get a shiny, skin free of acne and pimples.For hair message about half cup of buttermilk without salt on scalp. Leave for 10-15 mins and then shampoo. Gives you very silky and smooth hair.
• One of the best electrolytes in diarrhea. Add a pinch or two of rosalt and some crushed dry roasted cumin, in a glass of chilled buttermilk made with one part yogurt and 4 parts water to relieve the upset stomach.

Commonly used herbs and spices as per individual's choice used for flavoring Chaas/Buttermilk:

Fresh Coriander Leaves(Dhania Patte), Fresh Mint Leaves (Pudina Patte), Fresh Ginger, Ginger Powder(Sonth), Black Pepper (Kali Mirch), Dry Roasted Cumin (Bhuna Jeera), Green Chillies, Black Salt(Kala Namak), Sugar. As per Ayurveda these herbs and spices can be used in different combinations for curing stomach and skin disorders.

How to make Chaas/Mathaa or Indian Buttermilk

You can make buttermilk very quickly. It takes only 5-10 mins. You can make it in a blender or make in a bowl using a churner/mathani. If you don't have the churner then you can also use a balloon whisk. Even your kids can make it very easily.

I make it almost everyday or alternating with other yogurt preparations(like raita). My kids love to have it when they come back from school. It is also one of the best detox drinks. You can have it for breakfast, mid day snack or if you are fasting on weight loss diet. Avoid it consuming it in evening or night especially during winters.

How to make Masala Chaas

Add 1/2" grated ginger, 1-2 very finely chopped green chillies(depending on your spice tolerance) or black pepper with roasted cumin powder to make spicy Masala Chaas. You can also coarsely crush and make paste of ginger and green chillies in mortar pestle. Add finely coriander chopped leaves.

Stepwise pics to make Masala Chaas

Pro tips for perfect tasting Buttermilk

• Do not use 2-3 days old yogurt/dahi, use fresh batch.
• Take cold yogurt and water. You can add 1-2 ices cubes if you do not have cold water.
• Blend or whisk yogurt to smooth mix. There should not be any yogurt lumps.
• You can also refrigerate it before serving, add salt just before having it. Leaving salted yogurt or chaas for long makes it sour and also affects its ayurvedic properties.
• Also, do finish it the same day.

Serving Suggestion

In Western U.P at many place, in marriage parties and functions it is served with some Boondi/fried chickpea balls, ghee cumin seeds tadka and chopped coriander. It makes a good filling appetizer or accompaniment to meals.

Other Yogurt based drinks and recipes from the blog

Mango Thandai Lassi, Kiwi Masala Lassi, Pineapple Mint Lassi

Raitas for summer from the blog.. Mixed Vegetable Raita,Spinach and Pomegranate Raita, Dahi Vade, Dahi Phulki

Yogurt based curries from the blog.. Kadhi Pakodi , Papad ki Subzi , Gatte Ki Subzi , Chatpate Kale Chane

FAQ's

Recipe Card for Masala Chaas/Spiced Indian Buttermilk

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