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There's something so comforting about Indian beverages that manage to strike a chord with us every single time. Nimbu pani, jal jeera, masala chai and more, we find a variety of desi drinks across India that are worth trying. Not only these drinks are packed with incredible flavours but are also brimming with health-benefiting properties. One such popular drink that suits our local palate is chaas (or buttermilk). It is a soulful combination of churned dahi and spices and makes a popular choice among fitness enthusiasts. Alongside, the earthy flavours of the ingredients (used to make chaas), gives the drink an additional edge. Did you know that chaas has multiple regional versions too? You heard us. If you explore Indian food culture, you will find the presence of buttermilk almost everywhere, with some local variation in the recipes. In Maharashtra, it is referred to as taak.
What Is Taak?
Taak is a spiced buttermilk, made with ingredients that suit the palate of Maharashtra. It is also referred to as ‘Mattha’ by the locals. The drink is spicy, salty and tangy, and strikes the right balance of flavours on your palate. Traditionally, taak is prepared by churning malai with a wooden churner. The churning process helps you separate makkhan (white butter) from the whey water (also called mattha), which is then used to prepare taak. However, today we prepare taak at home using yogurt. It makes the process easy and saves a lot of time and energy.
Also Read: Soothe Your Tummy With This Cool Cucumber (Kheera) Chaas Recipe
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Health Benefits Of Maharashtrian Taak:
1. Promotes Gut Health:
Buttermilk is enriched with probiotics, known to balance the gut-friendly bacteria in the digestive system. This further helps promote digestion, metabolism and bowel movement, preventing health issues like acidity, heartburn and more.
2. Aids Weight Loss:
Dahi, used to prepare taak, is enriched with antioxidants and helps flush out toxins from the body. Proper detoxification, along with healthy digestion, is known to speed up the weight loss process.
3. Prevents Dehydration:
Taak works as an instant thirst quencher, thanks to its water content. Besides, the drink also contains adequate electrolytes, preventing dehydration and water loss from the body.
4. Vitamin-Enriched:
Buttermilk has been a part of Indian home remedies since time immemorial, courtesy of its rich nutrient profile. Besides 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 more. This makes taak a perfect drink for your daily vitamin fix.
5. Boosts Bone Health:
Taak (buttermilk) is mineral-enriched too. The calcium, potassium and phosphorous content in the drink makes it ideal for boosting strong bones and teeth.
6. Aids Skin Health:
Taak is enriched with lactic acid that is known to prevent skin-related issues including spots, blemishes and more. It also slows down the skin's ageing process and makes it soft and youthful from within.
Maharashtrian-Style Chaas Recipe | How To Make Taak At Home:
Ingredients to make Maharashtrian taak:
To make the drink, you need dahi, jeera powder, hing, ginger, green chilli, coriander, rock salt and water. You can also add some curry leaves to enhance the flavour.
Method to make Maharashtrian taak:
Mix one cup dahi and two cups of water in a blender and churn well. Once you get the desired consistency, add jeera powder, ginger and hing and salt to it and churn again. Transfer the drink to a jug and add chopped green chilli and coriander leaves and whisk well with hand. And you have Maharashtrian taak ready to be served. Click here for the recipe.
Also Read: Indian Cooking Tips: How To Make Traditional Maharashtrian Drink Piyush (Recipe Inside)
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Traditionally, taak is consumed in vaati (bowl), but you can always take it in a tall glass and enjoy it. For more such regional chaas recipes, click here.