Chaas facts for kids
A glass full of chaas
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| Course | Beverage |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Indian subcontinent |
| Region or state | Indian subcontinent |
| Associated national cuisine | India |
| Main ingredients | Dahi (yogurt), water, spices |
Chaas is a popular cool drink from the Indian subcontinent. It's made from yogurt (also called dahi) and water. People in different parts of India have special names for it. For example, in Tamil, it's called moru, and in Marathi, it's taak. Sometimes, people in India call it buttermilk.
Contents
Making Chaas: A Refreshing Drink
Chaas is easy to make! You mix yogurt (curds or dahi) with cold water. This is often done in a pot using a special hand tool called a madhani, which is like a whipper. You can drink chaas plain, or you can add different spices to it.
Types of Chaas
There are a few ways to make chaas, each with a slightly different taste:
- Sweet Chaas: This type is made from fresh yogurt. It has a naturally mild and slightly sweet flavor. It's similar to lassi, but chaas has more water and no extra sugar.
- Tangy Chaas: Most often, chaas is made from yogurt that is a few days old. This yogurt becomes a bit sour, giving the chaas a tangy, delicious taste. Adding a pinch of salt makes it even better.
- Buttermilk Chaas: Sometimes, people add real buttermilk to chaas. Buttermilk is the liquid left after making butter. This gives the chaas a slightly sour and bitter taste. You usually need to add spices to make this version taste good. This type is less common because it's only made when butter is churned at home.
Adding Flavor to Chaas
Chaas tastes great on its own, but many people like to add flavors. The most common way to flavor chaas is by adding a little salt.
Popular Spices and Flavors
You can add many other spices to salted chaas. These spices are often roasted in a pan with a little cooking oil before being added. Some popular spices include:
- Ground and roasted cumin seeds
- Curry leaves
- Asafoetida (a spice with a strong smell)
- Grated ginger
- Very finely chopped green chilies
- Mustard seeds
Sweet Chaas and Bottled Drinks
You can also add sugar to chaas. If you add sugar, people usually don't add salt or other spices. Sweet chaas is very similar to lassi, but chaas is thinner because it has more water. Lassi is more popular in northern India, while chaas is loved all over the country.
Today, you can find chaas sold in bottles. Companies like Amul make popular Masala Chaas, which has a mix of traditional flavors. Other bottled flavors include rose-flavored Chaas Gulabi and mint-flavored Mint Chaas. These often have added sugar and are thinner than flavored lassi.
When and Why People Drink Chaas
Chaas is more than just a drink in India; it's part of the culture, especially in rural areas.
Cooling Down and Rehydrating
People often prepare chaas in an earthen pot. This special pot helps keep the chaas cool, even on hot summer days. In very hot desert areas like Gujarat and Rajasthan, people drink chaas with salt after being in the sun. This helps them stay hydrated and feel better. In Southern India, chaas (or Moru) is also very popular for staying cool in the hot climate. People drink chaas all year round. It's often enjoyed right after meals, but it's also a refreshing drink on its own.
Health Benefits of Chaas
Chaas is also known for its health benefits:
- Digestion: The spices in chaas, like pepper and ginger, can help with digestion. They can also reduce the burning feeling you get from acidity.
- Hydration: Chaas is full of water and electrolytes. This helps your body recover from dehydration, especially in hot weather.
