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    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Indian Beverages » Taak (Maharashtrian Buttermilk, Mattha)

    Published: Jan 5, 2021 | Last Updated On: Jan 6, 2021 by Neha Mathur

    Taak (Maharashtrian Buttermilk, Mattha)

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    Jump to Recipe

    Taak also called Mattha is the Maharashtrian version of buttermilk which is made using yogurt (curd), herbs, and spices. It is a refreshing Indian summer drink that comes together in just 5 minutes using very basic ingredients (vegetarian, gluten-free).

    If you are looking for more refreshing summer drink recipes, then give these a try – Aam Panna Drink, Rose Lassi, Sambaram, Sattu Drink, Lassi, Mango Lassi, and Kanji Drink.

    Masala taak served in a glass.
    Jump to:
    • About Taak (Mattha)
    • Health Benefits Of Taak
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Taak
    • Serving Suggestions
    • You Might Also Like
    • Recipe Card

    About Taak (Mattha)

    Taak (Mattha) is nothing but spiced buttermilk made in Maharashtrian style. It has always been a must in my summer meals due to its refreshing flavor and amazing cooling properties. It is spicy, tangy, salty, and full of flavors.

    I am very fond of buttermilk (masala chaas) since my childhood. We always had a pitcher of buttermilk sitting in the fridge throughout the summers. It was mildly spiced with cumin and mint powder.

    When I moved to Pune, I came across this new variation of buttermilk, Taak, which was subtly flavored with green chilies, ginger, and a tempering of cumin seeds and curry leaves (phodnichi mattha). It changed my buttermilk game instantly!

    My house help told me that it was traditionally prepared by churning malai (milk fat) with a wooden buttermilk churner. The butter was separated which was used for various recipes, and the leftover sour whey which is called Matha was used to make spiced taak.

    Since churned whey is not easily available these days, I make taak at home using yogurt, which is a super-easy way of preparing Maharashtrian buttermilk. And I assure you this one will refresh you instantly, keep you hydrated and also give you relief from the scorching heat.

    Health Benefits Of Taak

    Buttermilk is great for your stomach as it aids digestion, fights acidity, and calms the stomach after a heavy meal.

    It cools down the body and gives instant relief from the scorching heat.

    Taak is great for hydration too! It is also said that it helps in reducing blood pressure and also brings a drop in cholesterol levels.

    Ingredients

    Taak ingredients 1.

    Yogurt – You can either use homemade plain yogurt (curd, dahi) or buy a tub.

    Water – If you plan to serve the taak immediately, use chilled water. If refrigerating it and serving it later, regular water also works.

    Salt – Season the Taak with regular white salt or black salt.

    Cilantro – Cilantro (fresh coriander leaves) adds a refreshing flavor and taste to this drink.

    Ginger and Green Chili Peppers – Fresh ginger along with green chili peppers adds that much-needed heat and spicy flavor to this Maharashtrian buttermilk. Adjust the amount as per your liking.

    Cumin Powder – For the best flavor, make cumin powder at home using my simple recipe.

    You can also add in a little dry mint powder, as it adds a beautiful flavor.

    Taak ingredients 2.

    Tempering Ingredients – Tempered taak is called Masala Phodnichi (tempered) Taak. You will need vegetable oil, cumin seeds and curry leaves to temper the taak.

    How To Make Taak

    Transfer 1 cup of plain yogurt and 2 cups of chilled water to a large bowl. Whisk well using a wire whisk.

    Note – I like little pieces of yogurt coming into my mouth and so I don’t whisk yogurt before adding water to it. Having said that, if you prefer smooth buttermilk, then whisk the yogurt until smooth and then mix it with water.

    Note – Some local dairies in India sell plain taak. If you have access to it, then use it in place of yogurt and water and add the remaining ingredients to it to make masala taak.

    water and yogurt whisked in a bowl.

    Add ½ teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro, ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder, ½ teaspoon grated ginger, and ½ teaspoon chopped green chili peppers to the bowl and mix well.

    Check for salt and add more required. Set aside.

    Some people don’t like cilantro, ginger, etc coming into their mouth while sipping the buttermilk. In that case, you can strain it using a fine-mesh strainer after refrigerating it for 1-2 hours, so that all their flavors steep well in the buttermilk.

    You can also make a paste of cilantro, ginger, and green chili peppers in a blender and add it to the yogurt and water mixture.

    Salt, cilantro, cumin powder, ginger and green chili added to the bowl.

    To temper the taak, heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat.

    Once the oil is hot, add ½ teaspoon cumin seeds and 5-6 chopped curry leaves and let them crackle for 3-4 seconds.

    Cumin seeds and curry leaves added to hot oil.

    Pour the tempering over the buttermilk and mix well.

    tempering poured over ready taak.

    Chill the buttermilk for a few hours before serving. You can refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Do not freeze it as its texture might change after thawing.

    Ready taak.

    Serving Suggestions

    You can serve Mattha along with your everyday meals or just enjoy it as a snack whenever hunger strikes or you feel dehydrated and thirsty. Since it aids digestion, it is a great drink to serve after a heavy meal.

    It can be served in a glass or in a vaati (bowl).

    I like to serve it with Maharashtrian dishes such as Phodnichi Poli, which is a leftover roti poha or masala bhat. This simple combination is a must-try.

    You Might Also Like

    • Maharashtrian Misal Pav
    • Bharli Vangi
    • Jowar Bhakri
    • Pithla

    Recipe Card

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    Taak is the Maharashtrian version of buttermilk which is made using fresh yogurt (curd). It is a refreshing Indian summer drink that comes together in just 5 minutes using very basic ingredients.

    Taak Recipe (Maharashtrian Buttermilk, Mattha)

    Taak (Mattha) is a refreshing Indian summer drink and it comes together in just 5 minutes using simple ingredients. It is the Maharashtrian version of spiced buttermilk which is made using fresh yogurt, herbs, and spices.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Beverage
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 minutes
    Total Time: 4 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 49kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup plain yogurt (dahi, curd)
    • 2 cups chilled water
    • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)
    • ½ teaspoon cumin powder
    • ½ teaspoon grated ginger
    • ½ teaspoon finely chopped green chili peppers

    For Tempering

    • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
    • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 5-6 curry leaves (chopped)
    US Customary or Metric
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    Instructions

    • Whisk yogurt and chilled water in a large bowl.
    • Stir in salt, cilantro, cumin powder, ginger, and green chili peppers.
    • Check for salt and add more required. Set aside.
    • Heat vegetable oil for tempering in a small skillet over medium-high heat.
    • Once the oil is hot, add cumin seeds and curry leaves and let them crackle for 3-4 seconds.
    • Pour the tempering over the yogurt mixture and stir well.
    • Chill for a few hours before serving. You can strain it just before serving if you don’t like cilantro and chili coming into your mouth.

    Video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQmySsHG6p8

    Notes

    Some people don’t like cilantro, ginger, etc coming in their mouth while sipping the buttermilk. In that case, you can strain it using a fine-mesh strainer after refrigerating it for 1-2 hours, so that all their flavors steep well in the buttermilk.
    You can also make a paste of cilantro, ginger, and green chili peppers in a blender and add it to the yogurt and water mixture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 95mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 108IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 1mg
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