What is chaas and how is it made?
Chaas is an Indian drink made by thinning plain yogurt with water and flavoring it, usually with roasted cumin, salt, mint or coriander. It is thinner than lassi and is served chilled.
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 chaas?
Chaas (also spelled chaach, and called mattha, moru or majjige in different regions) is a cooling Indian drink of yogurt and water with spices. It is often called “spiced buttermilk” in English, but the recipe we checked makes it from yogurt thinned with water.
How do you make chaas?
This ratio serves two, per a popular Indian recipe site:
- 3/4 cup chilled plain yogurt
- 1 3/4 cups chilled water
- 3/4 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
- 1/3 teaspoon black salt and 1/4 teaspoon regular salt
- Optional: mint and coriander leaves, a small green chili or a little black pepper, a piece of ginger, 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice, chaat masala
- Blend or whisk the yogurt with the spices and herbs until smooth.
- Add the water and blend or whisk until frothy.
- Taste and adjust salt and spices.
Use less water for a thicker drink, more for a thinner one. Blending warms the drink slightly, so start with cold yogurt and water.
Regional differences
| North India | Cumin or mint |
| South India | Curry leaves and mustard seeds fried in oil or ghee |
| Bengal | Gondhoraj lemon |
Similar drinks are called borhani in Bangladesh, mattha or mohi in Nepal, and ayran in the Middle East.
Chaas vs lassi vs buttermilk
- Chaas: thin, savory, spiced yogurt and water.
- Lassi: thicker than chaas.
- Western cultured buttermilk: sold in stores as “buttermilk”; the recipe author says a store-bought US buttermilk can be used if it is made from yogurt, but check the label.
How long does chaas keep?
Refrigerated, the recipe source says it keeps about a day before the flavor fades. Stir or shake before pouring because it separates.
How is chaas served?
Chilled; the recipe suggests cold water, ice and cold yogurt so it stays cool. Traditionally it was kept in an earthen pot (matka).
Is chaas suitable for lactose intolerance?
It is a dairy drink. NIDDK says yogurt may be easier to tolerate than other milk products for some people, but results vary.
People also ask
What is chaas made of?
Plain yogurt, water, salt and spices such as roasted cumin, usually with mint, coriander, ginger or green chili.
Is chaas the same as buttermilk?
It is often called buttermilk in English, but the recipe we checked makes chaas from yogurt thinned with water.
What is the difference between chaas and lassi?
Chaas is thinner than lassi and is made here with salt and spices.
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.
