Lassi

Lassi
Lassi from Mumbai, India.
Alternative names Lachhi, taak, chaas
Course Beverage
Place of origin Indian subcontinent
Associated national cuisine India, Bangladesh, Pakistan
Serving temperature Chilled
Main ingredients Dahi (yogurt), cream, sugar, water and spices
Variations kachi lassi

Lassi (pronounced [ləsiː]) is a popular traditional dahi (yogurt)-based drink that originated in the Indian subcontinent.[1][2] Lassi is a blend of yogurt, water, spices and sometimes fruit. Traditional lassi (a.k.a., "salted lassi", or simply "lassi") is a savoury drink, sometimes flavoured with ground and roasted cumin. Sweet lassi, however, contains sugar or fruits, instead of spices.

In Indian religions, yogurt sweetened with honey is used while performing religious rituals. Less common is lassi served with milk and topped with a thin layer of clotted cream. Lassis are enjoyed chilled as a hot-weather refreshment, mostly taken with lunch. With a little turmeric powder mixed in, it is also used as a folk remedy for gastroenteritis. In Pakistan, salted lassi is often served with almost all kinds of meals, and is mostly made at home by simply whisking salt in yogurt and water. It is also sold at most dairy shops selling yogurt and milk, and both the salty and sweet variety is available.

Variations

Traditional mild sweet (or salty) lassi

Lassi from Mumbai, India.
Mint sweet lassi or Chaas in Chandigarh, India.
Lassi in an earthen tumbler, Kullhad, Varanasi, India.
A lassi shop in Varanasi, India.
Benaras ki Lassi

The traditional mild sweet (or salty) form of lassi is more common in Northern India, Dhaka, Bangladesh and Punjab, Pakistan. It is prepared by blending dahi (yogurt) with water with added salt. The resulting beverage is known as salted lassi. This is similar to doogh.

Sweet lassi

Sweet lassi is a form of lassi flavoured with sugar, rosewater and/or lemon, strawberry or other fruit juices. Saffron lassis, which are particularly rich, are a specialty of Rajasthan and Gujarat in India and Sindh in Pakistan. Makkhaniya lassi is simply lassi with lumps of butter in it (makkhan is the Gujarati, Urdu, Hindi, Sindhi and Punjabi word for butter). It is usually creamy like a milkshake.

Mango lassi

Mango lassi is gaining popularity worldwide. It is made from yogurt, milk and mango pulp. It may be made with or without added sugar. It is widely available in the UK, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, and in many other parts of the world. In various parts of Canada, mango lassi is a cold drink consisting of sweetened kesar mango pulp mixed with yogurt, cream, or ice cream. It is served in a tall glass with a straw, often with ground pistachio nuts sprinkled on top.[3]

Bhang lassi

Bhang lassi is a cannabis-infused drink that contains bhang, a liquid derivative of cannabis, which has effects similar to other eaten forms of cannabis.[4] It is legal in many parts of India and mainly sold during Holi, when pakoras containing bhang are also sometimes eaten. Uttar Pradesh is known to have licensed bhang shops, and in many places, one can buy bhang products and drink bhang lassis.[5]

Chaas

Chaas is a salted drink similar to lassi, but may contain more water than lassi and has the butterfat removed to reduce its consistency. Salt, cumin seeds or fresh coriander may be added for taste. Fresh ground ginger and green chillies may also be added as seasoning. Chaas is popular in India where it is a common beverage during or after mealtime.

Cultural references

A 2008 print[6] and television[7][8] ad campaign for HSBC, written by Jeffree Benet of JWT Hong Kong, tells a tale of a Polish washing machine manufacturer's representative sent to India to discover why their sales are so high there. On arriving, the representative investigates a lassi parlor, where he is warmly welcomed, and finds several washing machines being used to mix it. The owner tells him he is able to "make ten times as much lassi as I used to!"

On his No Reservations television program, celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain visited a "government authorised" bhang shop in Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan. The proprietor offered him three varieties of bhang lassi: normally strong; super duper strong; and "full power, 24 hours, no toilet, no shower".

In 2013, Kshitij, the annual techno-management fest of IIT Kharagpur, launched a campaign to name the next version of the mobile operating system Android, Lassi.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Indian Lassi: The Ultimate Summer Refresher". Imbibe. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  2. ↑ "Lassi". Encyclopædia Britannica.
  3. ↑ Wayne Collins (1970-01-01). "Food - Recipes : Mango lassi cocktail". BBC. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
  4. ↑ Staelens, Stefanie. "The Bhang Lassi Is How Hindus Drink Themselves High for Shiva". Vice.com. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  5. ↑ Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Collection 2, Episode 5; Final Segment.
  6. ↑ "Can This Lassi Ad Really Be True?". indiablogs.searchindia.com. 2008-10-04.
  7. ↑ "HSBC Bank : Washing Machine and Lassi". Adoholik. 2008-09-27. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
  8. ↑ "HSBC Lassi/Washing Machines TV Ad". HSBC. 2012-04-30. Retrieved 2013-09-23.
  9. ↑ TOI Tech Sep 11, 2013, 06.56PM IST (2013-09-11). "IIT grads plead Google to name Android version Lassi - Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2014-01-08.
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