Also Known As
Chaas, Moru, Chaanch, Taak, Tak

Description

Buttermilk is the liquid left behind after churning butter out of cream. It is popular in India and Southeast Asia. It is thin, pale and more acidic than conventional milk. The sourness/ tartness of buttermilk are due to the presence of lactic acid in the milk. It is usually had after or during meals.

To make buttermilk, whisk curds well along with salt and roasted cumin seed powder. Add water and thin to make buttermilk. You an also temper buttermilk with mustard seeds and curry leaves.

How to select

If purchasing tetra packs, go for a good brand and check the manufacturing and expiry date. This is very important because it's a perishable product. If having fresh at home, ensure that the curds used are not very sour.

Culinary Uses

· Buttermilk aids digestion. Thus, during dinners it is recommended to have buttermilk with rice rather than curds with rice since buttermilk gets digested more easily than curds.
· Sour buttermilk can be added to flours and batters to make crisp pancakes, dosas etc.
· Buttermilk is also readily used in many cake recipes along with an alkaline medium which helps the cake to rise.
· Buttermilk is also used in the bakery for preparation of scones, biscuits, etc.
· Buttermilk is seasoned with salt and tempered with caraway seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida to make rasam (thin soup).
· Combine buttermilk with besan and spices to make kadhis which are served along with rice.
· Mix with rice flour and seasonings and cook in a broad pan till it becomes like cooked dough. This is had as a "Upma" in south India.

How to store

Always store under refrigerated conditions. Warmer weather will make buttermilk sour if kept at room temperature.

Health Benefits

· Buttermilk is lower in fat and calories than regular milk because the fat from buttermilk has already been removed to make butter.
· Buttermilk is more easily digestible than whole milk and it also contains more lactic acid than skim milk. Thus, those with digestive problems are often advised to drink buttermilk rather than milk.
· It is high in protein, riboflavin, potassium, vitamin B12 and calcium. Due to being more easily digestible, protein and calcium can be taken up more easily by the body.
· It detoxifies the body and cleanses the intestines.
· It relieves people suffering from constipation.
· It is a healthy dink for people who suffer from piles and obesity.