What are the different types of mattha milk?
Mattha, also called chaas or spiced buttermilk, is an Indian drink of yogurt or buttermilk thinned with water. It is not a sweet milk. Types include plain, salted and cumin (the most common), masala with ginger, mint and chili, and a sweeter version made with sugar or jaggery in some areas. Lassi is a thicker, usually sweet relative.
Free download
Milk and Dairy Storage Chart (PDF): How long milk, plant milks, cream, yogurt and kefir last, opened and unopened. 23 rows, each with its source.
Thank you
Your chart is ready
We use your email only for this download.Also free:
Home Bar Storage Chart (PDF)Juice, Soda and Water Storage Chart (PDF)Coffee, Tea and Hot Drinks Storage Chart (PDF)Drink Strength, Calories and Units Cheat Sheet (PDF)Want the full pack? About 10 printable sheets: a larger chart for each drink type, a “has it gone off?” checklist, date labels, a party planner and an inventory sheet.
In this article
What is mattha?
Mattha is a classic Indian summer drink, also known as chaas or spiced buttermilk. It is made from yogurt or buttermilk and water, flavored with spices and fresh herbs. It is thin, cooling and salty-savory, not a sweetened flavored milk. Names and recipes differ by region and family, so the types below are common patterns rather than a fixed list.
What are the types of mattha?
| Type | What is in it |
|---|---|
| Plain chaas | Yogurt, water and a little salt (and sometimes a little sugar), served over ice |
| Masala or spiced mattha | Roasted cumin, ginger, mint, cilantro and optionally green chili, salt and a little sugar to balance |
| Herb mattha | Heavier on mint, cilantro or curry leaves |
How is spiced mattha made?
One recipe makes about 3 cups from 1 cup of plain thick yogurt, 2 cups of cold water, 1 teaspoon of roasted crushed cumin, 7 large mint leaves, 5 to 6 sprigs of cilantro, a 1-inch piece of ginger, one halved green chili (optional), and salt and a little sugar to taste. You blend the yogurt and water, add the herbs and spices, blend until smooth, taste, strain if you like, and serve cold over ice. Add more water if the yogurt is thick.
How is mattha different from lassi?
Lassi is typically thicker and often sweet, while chaas is thinner and usually salted and spiced. Some people also call plain buttermilk chaas, though traditional buttermilk is what is left after churning butter; most home chaas today is made from yogurt and water. Sources disagree on exact definitions, so use the name your family or region uses.
When is it served?
Cold, often after lunch or dinner or in summer, to cool the body and aid digestion, according to the recipe author. These are traditional uses, not medical claims.
Storage
Keep it in a glass jar in the fridge for a few days. The yogurt settles, so stir or shake before serving.
Tips
- Use cold water if you serve it right away.
- Roast cumin fresh for better flavor.
- Strain for a smoother drink.
People also ask
What is mattha?
A traditional Indian drink of yogurt or buttermilk and water with spices and herbs, also called chaas or spiced buttermilk.
Is mattha the same as lassi?
No. Lassi is usually thicker and often sweet, while mattha or chaas is thinner and usually salted and spiced.
How long does mattha keep?
A few days in the fridge in a sealed jar. Stir or shake before serving because it settles.
Sources
About · How we verify this · Editorial policy · Corrections
What would help you most next?
One tap. Anonymous. It helps us decide what to build.
Thank you. The free charts above are yours to keep.
