There’s something so comforting about Indian beverages that manages to strike a chord with us every single time. From lemonade, jal jeera, masala chai and more, we find a variety of desi drinks across India that are worth trying. Not only are these drinks packed with incredible flavor but they are also loaded with health-benefiting properties. One such popular drink that suits our local palate is buttermilk. It is a meaty combination of churned curd and spices and is a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts. Also, the earthy flavor of the ingredients (used to make chaas), gives the drink an extra edge. Do you know that there are many regional versions of Chaas as well? You heard us If you trace the Indian food culture, you will find the presence of buttermilk almost everywhere with some local variations in the dishes. In Maharashtra it is called Tak.
What is ledge?
Taak is a condiment buttermilk, Made with ingredients to suit the taste of Maharashtra. Local people also call it ‘Whey’. The drink is spicy, salty and tangy, and strikes a perfect balance of flavors on your palate. Traditionally, taak is prepared by churning cream with a wooden churner. The churning process helps to separate the makhana (white butter) from the whey water (also called mattha), which is then used to prepare taak. However, today we make tak at home from curd. It eases the process and saves a lot of time and energy.
Read also: Soothe your tummy with this cool Cucumber Chaas recipe
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Health Benefits of Maharashtrian Tak:
1. Promotes Gut Health:
Buttermilk is rich in probiotics, which are known to balance the gut-friendly bacteria in the digestive tract. This further helps in promoting digestion, metabolism and bowel movements, thereby preventing health issues like acidity, heartburn and more.
2. Aids in Weight Loss:
Yogurt, used to prepare tak, is rich in antioxidants and helps in flushing out toxins from the body. Proper detoxification, along with healthy digestion, is known to speed up the process of weight loss.
3. Prevents Dehydration:
Tak acts as an instant thirst quencher, due to its water content. Apart from this, the drink also contains enough electrolytes, which prevent dehydration and loss of water from the body.
4. Rich in Vitamins:
Buttermilk has been a part of Indian home remedies since ancient times, courtesy its rich nutritional profile. Apart from being a great source of protein and fibre, it also enriches the body with a variety of vitamins including vitamins A, B, C, D and others. This makes Tak an ideal drink for your daily vitamin fix.
5. Promotes Bone Health:
Buttermilk is also rich in minerals. The calcium, potassium and phosphorus content in the drink makes it ideal for promoting strong bones and teeth.
6. Aids in Skin Health:
Taak is rich in lactic acid which is known to prevent skin related problems like spots, blemishes etc. It also slows down the aging process of the skin and makes it soft and young from within.
maharashtrian style chaas recipe | How to make taak at home:
Ingredients to make Maharashtrian Tak:
To make the drink, you need curd, cumin powder, asafoetida, ginger, green chillies, coriander, rock salt and water. You can also add some curry leaves to enhance the taste.
Method of making Maharashtrian Tak:
Put one cup of curd and two cups of water in a blender and blend it well. Once you get the desired consistency, add cumin powder, ginger and asafoetida and salt and churn again. Take out the drink in a jug and add chopped green chilies and green coriander and beat it well with hands. And you have ready to serve Maharashtrian Tak. Click here for recipe.
Read also: Indian Cooking Tips: How To Make Piyush, The Traditional Maharashtrian Drink (Recipe Inside)
Traditionally, tak is consumed in a wati (bowl), but you can always have it in a tall glass and enjoy it. For more such regional chhach recipes, Click here,
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