Call it Mattha, Chaas or Spiced Buttermilk, this yogurt baked spiced beverage is a classic Indian summer drink. Couple spices and fresh herbs blended with yogurt and water makes this thirst quencher. It is a great way to stay hydrated.
We Indians love yogurt! And when peak summer hits, we enjoy yogurt in several different ways, like this light Soya Kadhi. A glass of Mattha or Chaas post lunch and dinner helps to keep the tummy cool and digest your meal.
There is no strict recipe for this spiced buttermilk, and we all give our own little twist to suit our taste bud.
Ingredients I used for Mattha
Plain Yogurt - I like to use thick greek yogurt, but regular homemade yogurt will work fine too.
Water - You will need water to thin out the texture of the chaas/mattha.
Roasted cumin seeds, crushed coarsely - Avoid using store bought cumin powder for this. Freshly roasted cumin seeds will add a fantastic aroma to the drink.
Salt & Sugar for seasonin. I don't add too much sugar, just enough to blend the flavor.
Fresh Herb - Fresh herb and fresh cilantro add the refreshing flavor to the drink. I like to add more than usual as it adds a lovely green hue to the drink.
Ginger and Green Chili - I love fresh ginger with yogurt, and I will highly recommend grating fresh ginger for this. Fresh green chili is optional. I like to heat fresh green chili adds to chaas, but if you don't like it spicy, discard it.
Steps to prepare:
The steps are simple and very easy to make!
1- Grate or blend the fresh ginger. Avoid using store bought ginger paste for this.
2- Adding green chili is optional, I like to add because I like the heat it brings to the drink.
3- In a blender, add the yogurt and water. The amount of water you can adjust based on how thick the plain yogurt is.
4- Add all the fresh herbs, spices, salt, sugar, ginger and green chili.
5- Blend until everything incorporates together smoothly. Taste for salt and sugar, add more if needed.
6- Pour it over ice and enjoy cold.
You can store mattha in the refrigerator for few days. You will notice that the yogurt portion will settle down at the bottom of the jar. Just before serving, give a quick mix and enjoy!
If your blender is not high speed, and you would like a super smooth texture, strain the Chaas before serving.
Storing Chaas or Mattha
In a glass jar or pitcher. Make a big portion and drink a glass every day. Do keep in mind that as it sits in the refrigerator, the yogurt will settle down, separating the water. Just give a good shake or stir and it’s ready.
Someday I don’t even mind a plain chaas which is just water yogurt with little salt and sugar for seasoning. I occasionally like to drop a few ice cubes just before serving.
FAQs
Chaas or Mattha is a very healthy low calorie summer drink that not only helps to cool you down but also helps to digest your food.
Lassi is more thick and creamy where you don't add water. Lassi is often served sweet, flavored with cardamom. Salty lassi can be compared to chaas, but it will not be as light and chaas.
Yes! Yogurt is probiotic, which helps your body to stay away from infection. A class of chaas every day after lunch or dinner is a great diet choice.
Here are few summer drinks to try
Mattha (Indian Spiced Yogurt Drink)
Ingredients
- 1 cup plain thick yogurt
- 2 cups water (preferably cold water if you are serving immediately)
- 1 teaspoon roasted cumin (crushed coarsely)
- 7 big mint leaves
- 5 to 6 sprigs of cilantro leaves
- Salt and sugar based on your preference
- 1- inch fresh ginger peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 green chilies (slit in half and seeds removed)
Instructions
- In a blender, add everything except the green chili. Blend it to smooth. Strain it if you want smoother texture. You can add green chili if you like it spicy.
- Pour in a jar and drop the green chili to infuse the mattha. If you prefer spicy, then do blend the green chili along with the rest of the ingredients.
- Enjoy it cold with few ice cubes.
Nithya
Love your traditional spicy yogurt drink..
Queen Sashy
I just discovered your blog and I am super-loving it. Great content, great photography -- it went straight to my blogroll.
Notyet100
I feel like picking that glass
Orchid
This looks really nice and refreshing... I would need it too in the hot and sunny Italy these days!
Ciao
Nami JustOneCookbook
It's so hot here and I want to try your yogurt drink! It's so humid here and my husband who went home yesterday told me now it's cold over there? I should enjoy eating ice cream everyday. 🙂
Pia
Aami ek glass ghol khete khete ei post ta porlam. The photos are so pretty! Love the bit of saree border 🙂
wok with ray
I agree with you and I am doing the same thing. It is terribly hot that I stay away from the kitchen myself. Wow, this spiced yogurt drink is something that is intriguing and amazing because it look so beautiful. Well, stay cool, Kankana and go easy on the hubby. Haha! 🙂
jehanne
every now and then my husband would ask me to make a drink similar to this-and being a sweet tooth, I never get how he likes chilli in his drink! but your pics are so stunning Kankana, that I might just make this, and steal a sip from his cup!
Reem
OK Seriously Babe you have just mesmerized me with the pics.. Again YES!!!
You know I am not such a big fan of lassi but Mattha... YUP... It is just so light n to die for good...
You stay cool gal.... Lets hope these brutal summer just go away ASAP...
carey
I have been hearing all about the heat you guys have been getting out there, and it sounds unbearable! Pretty much every news report of every day has mentioned triple digits on the west coast, aiyiyi. And the wildfires — so scary. I really hope it cools down for you soon! We're in the midst of an extremely gross humid spell, but at least it isn't over 100°. This drink would be pure heaven right now. Everything about it sounds cooling and revitalizing, from the yogurt to the cilantro, to the spice/heat from the ginger and chili. Yum! (:
easyfoodsmith
This is indeed a refreshing and delicious drink. We often have it in the mornings on hot summer days instead of tea. The addition of ginger makes it digestive and gives it a kick. Beautiful shots Kankana.
Kiran
It's raining cats and dogs here in Florida -- every day for the last 2 weeks (or more?). It has to stop and I need to make this Mattha to celebrate 🙂
Nusrat Azim
Tried Mattha million times for a whole lot of valid and invalid reasons 🙂 But never imagined Mattha could be that outstandingly gorgeous!
You're a magician, Kankana. YES you are 🙂
Archana
That's brutal! Sounds like your landlord needs to fix AC pronto!!! Mattha brought back memories. Didn't know Bengalis called it that too! Those shots are gorgeous. You make ordinary things look extraordinary!
Lizzy (Good Things)
Wow, another outstanding recipe! I think I am going to love this one! Your photography is jaw droppingly lovely!
Ash- foodfashionpart
Love your shots as usual Kankana. Btw, I live in the Bay too, and the weather is getting to me..not in the moon for anything.
The yoghurt drink is perfect for this kind of weather.
Elvira
This is something you don't see in Rome and I love the idea of a spicy refreshing drink for a party with friend I'm having over the weekend. Thank you for the tip, it's going to leave my friends jaw dropped.
nipponnin
I love your photo styling, so cool! You're awesome!
sowmya
Summer is horrible here in nebraska too . we make something similar to this called majiga..lovely pics .. I would love to try ur version . 🙂
dixya
summer is extremely brutal is Dallas. I will be making this sometime. I am drinking a lot of lemonades