How is mattha milk different from regular milk?

Is mattha milk?

No. Despite sometimes being called mattha milk, mattha (chaas) is a fermented dairy drink made from yogurt thinned with water. Regular milk is the fresh liquid from a cow, buffalo or other animal.

Mattha vs regular milk

Is mattha lower in calories?

Mostly, because it is diluted with water. One recipe’s nutrition panel lists about 61 kcal, but this depends on the yogurt and the serving size. Check your own recipe.

Lactose

Mattha is fermented, so some people with lactose intolerance tolerate it. It still contains milk, and it is not lactose free. Milk allergy sufferers must avoid it.

Mattha vs Western buttermilk

Traditional buttermilk is the liquid left after churning butter from cultured cream. Indian chaas is yogurt mixed with water, per Indian Healthy Recipes.

Which to choose?

Milk suits tea, cereal, and cooking. Mattha is a savory drink for meals and hot days.

Making each at home

Milk needs only to be bought fresh or boiled and cooled. Mattha needs yogurt first, then a few minutes of whisking with cold water and seasoning. If you have yogurt in the fridge, mattha takes about five minutes. Because mattha is perishable, refrigerate it and use it within about a day. Shake or whisk it again before drinking, because yogurt drinks separate on standing, and keep milk and mattha in separate, clearly labelled containers if you share a fridge.