Mattha
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| Alternative names | Chaanch/Chaas |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | India/Bangladesh |
| Main ingredients | Buttermilk |
 Cookbook: Mattha  Media: Mattha | |
Mattha is an Indian spiced beverage made with lassi. Plain buttermilk is also called Mattha. Other ingredients may include mint, roasted cumin seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, salt and sugar. Mattha may also be smoked before serving for flavour. It is generally served before or after a meal, though it can also be consumed with the meal, and it is thought to help with digestion.
Mattha is also known as Chaanch or Chaas; the term "Mattha" is generally used for the sweet version of the beverage, while "chaas" generally refers to the salty version. The beverage is also known as Mohi (in Nepali) and Taak (in Marathi).
Health benefits
Ayurvedic nutrition recommends buttermilk to pacify Pitta dosha (with the addition of sugar or rose water), pacify Vata and Kapha (use of rock salt, honey, spices like dry-roasted cumin powder, black pepper and herbs like ginger). Buttermilk is highly recommended as one the best home remedies for certain ailments like piles, diarrhoea, jaundice and dysfunctions of liver and spleen.
History
It used to be made of yogurt. The liquid that remained after churning butter was drunk as a cure for stomachaches or just as a refreshing drink in hot weather. More recently, it has been made using thinned-out yogurt, as it is used as summer appetiser in hot part of India. Most commonly served in marriage ceremonies in rural India.