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    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Beverages » Ragi Malt

    Published: Jun 3, 2021 | Last Updated On: Jun 4, 2021 by Neha Mathur

    Ragi Malt

    2682 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Ragi malt is a nutritious drink that you can enjoy on a hot summer day. Prepared with ragi powder (finger millet) and buttermilk (chaas), this cooling Indian beverage comes together in just 15 minutes. Make it savory or sweet.

    A few more ragi recipes that you can try at home – Ragi Idli, Mudde, Ragi Kanji, Ragi Semiya Upma, and Ragi Banana Pancakes.

    Ragi malt served in a glass.
    Jump to:
    • What is Ragi?
    • About This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Ragi Malt
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Health Benefits of Ragi
    • Storage Suggestions
    • You Might Also Like
    • Recipe Card

    What is Ragi?

    Ragi, also known as finger millet or red millet in English is a highly nutritious grain grown as a cereal crop in dry regions of Africa and Asia.

    It is also known as Ragi (in Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi), Kodra (Himachal Pradesh), Mandia (Oriya), Taidalu (in Telangana region), Ariyam in Tamil, etc. Ragi is high in calcium, iron, and vitamins and is considerably cheaper than other grains.

    About This Recipe

    Ragi Malt, also known as ragi ambli, is a traditional drink from the state of Karnataka and is prepared with the humble combination of ragi powder and buttermilk (chaas). This refreshing drink can be made sweet or savory and is best enjoyed chilled on the side with your lunch or as a snack in between the meals.

    Ragi is cooked in water and then mixed with other simple ingredients such as plain buttermilk, salt, roasted cumin powder, asafetida, curry leaves, cilantro, and onions. It is easy, healthy, and considered great for digestion.

    Though it has many health benefits and considered to be a superfood, people with kidney stones should avoid it.

    Ingredients

    Ragi Malt Ingredients.

    To prepare this Karnataka style ragi buttermilk, you will need ragi flour (finger millet), buttermilk (chaas), salt, roasted cumin powder, asafetida (hing), curry leaves, onion, and cilantro (coriander).

    If making it sweet, you can use sugar or jaggery.

    Ragi flour does have a bland taste, but it tastes really delicious when mixed with other ingredients and also provides the malt a grainy texture. You can easily find this flour at any Indian grocery store or online.

    Buttermilk is a cooling ingredient that is added to the cooked ragi mixture, to thin down the consistency. You can either prepare buttermilk at home by mixing some plain yogurt with water.

    If you are looking for a gluten-free option, avoid adding asafetida. Use fresh and green curry leaves and cilantro for the refreshing taste.

    How To Make Ragi Malt

    Add 2 and ½ cups of water to a pot and heat it on high heat until it comes to a rolling bowl.

    Water added to a pot.

    Meanwhile, mix 4 tablespoon ragi flour in the remaining ½ cup of water using a small wire whisk. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture.

    Ragi flour mixed in water added to the pot.

    Once the water comes to a rolling boil, slowly add the ragi mixture to the boiling water.

    Boiling water.
    Ragi mixture added to boiling water.

    Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously to avoid the formation of lumps. Remove the pot from heat and let this mixture cool completely.

    Cooked ragi.

    Add the cooled ragi mixture to 5 cups of buttermilk and whisk nicely until smooth. Add salt to taste, ¼ teaspoon roasted cumin powder, ¼ teaspoon asafoetida, 10-12 curry leaves, and 2 tablespoon chopped onion, and mix well.

    All the ingredients mixed in a bowl.

    Chill for a few hours. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve chilled.

    Ready ragi malt.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How to make sweet ragi malt?

    To make a sweet version of malt, do not add salt and buttermilk to the cooked ragi. Add milk and grated or liquid jaggery instead and cook until jaggery melts. You can cook the ragi in water for both versions together. After the ragi is cooked, use half to make sweet kanji and the other half to make salted kanji.

    How to make ragi flour at home?

    To prepare ragi flour at home, sprout the ragi grains and let them dry. Once dried fully, grind to make a smooth powder.

    How to make ragi malt for babies?

    For the babies, it is prepared a little differently. Cook the ragi in water and add a little milk to adjust the consistency. Do not add sugar or salt when feeding the babies. You can add powdered almonds for babies above 1 year.

    Health Benefits of Ragi

    Ragi is one of the superfoods, that has a lot of health benefits. And thus including it in your everyday meals is considered to be really good for the body.

    • First of all, it is gluten-free. So if you are following a gluten-free diet include it in your meals.
    • Due to its high calcium content, it is said to be really great for bones. It helps women to combat osteoporosis and keeps the bones strong.
    • Ragi has a high fiber and protein content, which is great if you are on a weight loss diet. It will keep you filled for longer.
    • Ragi is also rich in Iron, so it helps to keep anemia at bay.
    • It is considered to be great for diabetic people, as it helps in controlling blood sugar levels.
    • Ragi also has anti-microbial properties and reduces bad cholesterol.
    • Due to the cooling properties of Ragi, this drink is highly recommended in the summer months when the mercury soars high and the body needs some external help to cool it down.
    • This drink can also be given to your babies and kids. You can start giving it at the age of 6 months.

    Storage Suggestions

    I will suggest you make it fresh, as it hardly takes 15 minutes. You can prepare the buttermilk and store it in the fridge so that it comes in handy. In case you have leftovers, store them in the fridge in a covered glass jar and consume them within a day. Mix it well before consuming.

    You Might Also Like

    • Ragi Idli
    • Mudde (Ragi Ball)
    • Ragi Semiya Upma (Ragi Vermicelli)
    • Ragi Banana Pancakes

    Recipe Card

    Loved this recipe?Click here to leave a review and give us a five star rating ★★★★★
    Ragi malt is a nutritious drink that you can enjoy on a hot summer day. Prepared with ragi powder (finger millet) and buttermilk (chaas), this cooling Indian beverage comes together in just 15 minutes. Here is how to make it.

    Ragi Malt Recipe

    Ragi malt is a nutritious drink that you can enjoy on a hot summer day. Prepared with ragi powder (finger millet) and buttermilk (chaas), this cooling Indian beverage comes together in just 15 minutes. Here is how to make it.
    4.5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 60kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    • 4 tablespoons ragi flour (finger millet)
    • 3 cups water (divided)
    • 5 cups plain buttermilk (I make my own by mixing 1 and ½ cup yogurt in 3 cups of water)
    • salt to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
    • ¼ teaspoon asafetida
    • 10-12 curry leaves
    • 2 tablespoons chopped onion
    • 1 teaspoon chopped cilantro
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    Instructions

    • Add 2 and ½ cups of water to a pot and heat it on high heat until it comes to a rolling bowl.
    • Meanwhile, mix 4 tablespoon ragi flour in the remaining ½ cup of water using a small wire whisk. Make sure there are no lumps in the mixture.
    • Once the water comes to a rolling boil, slowly add the ragi mixture to the boiling water.
    • Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously to avoid the formation of lumps. Remove the pot from heat and let this mixture cool completely.
    • Add the cooled ragi mixture to 5 cups of buttermilk and whisk nicely until smooth. Add salt to taste, ¼ teaspoon roasted cumin powder, ¼ teaspoon asafoetida, 10-12 curry leaves, and 2 tablespoon chopped onion, and mix well.
    • Chill for a few hours. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve chilled.

    Video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiktuszWRMg

    Notes

    To make a sweet version of malt, do not add salt and buttermilk to the cooked ragi. Add milk and grated or liquid jaggery instead and cook until jaggery melts. You can cook the ragi in water for both versions together. After the ragi is cooked, use half to make sweet kanji and the other half to make salted kanji.
    For the babies, it is prepared a little differently. Cook the ragi in water and add a little milk to adjust the consistency. Do not add sugar or salt when feeding the babies. You can add powdered almonds for babies above 1 year.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 39mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 98IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. PRANITA DESHPANDE

      February 24, 2018 at 2:35 pm

      We are making it with jowar flour. You have made very fantastic

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        February 26, 2018 at 6:32 am

        Jowar is a very nice alternative.

        Reply
        • pranita deshpande

          September 21, 2018 at 3:40 pm

          very true.

          Reply
    2. Jayati

      September 18, 2018 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent recipe! I tried it and loved it! Thank you for sharing, thank you so so much!

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        September 20, 2018 at 11:29 am

        Thnx for trying and sharing your feedback 🙂

        Reply
    3. FARIDA BANU

      November 08, 2018 at 9:07 am

      5 stars
      Very quick and healthy drink.

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        November 12, 2018 at 1:23 pm

        Thnx. Yes it is 🙂

        Reply
    4. Lakshmi

      January 17, 2020 at 4:26 pm

      Hello Neha,

      I have some Ragi Huri Hittu. Can I use it to make this malt ?
      If not how do I use this Huri Hittu ?
      Many Thanks for your guidance ????

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        January 20, 2020 at 2:40 pm

        Yes sure. You can use it for malt and even Mudde.

        Reply

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