Buttermilk is a very refreshing drink that can be relished alone or along with meals. More popularly known as chaas/chaach in Indian households. It contains low fat and is rich in vitamins and minerals, making it an ideal remedy for digestion improvement and weight loss. You can drink it plain or enhance the taste by adding black salt, cumin powder, etc., to it.
There are two variants of homemade buttermilk recipes: one with milk and lemon or vinegar and the other with only curd. Follow the recipe covered in this blog to make buttermilk at home.
| Recipe Name | Buttermilk |
| Place of Origin | India |
| Total Time Taken | 15 minutes |
| Preparation Time | 5 minutes |
Easy Steps to Make Buttermilk
You’ll be amazed to know that you can prepare homemade buttermilk without breaking a sweat. Just follow these steps:
Buttermilk Recipe 1
Buttermilk Ingredients
- 1 cup of lukewarm milk
- 1 tbsp of vinegar or lemon juice
How to Prepare
- To make buttermilk, mix vinegar or lemon juice into a bowl of lukewarm milk. Allow it to rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.
- It will be ready when milk starts to thicken a bit. You will also notice the small curdled bits that will give you a paneer-like taste.
The overall taste of the buttermilk prepared this way will be slightly different from the actual buttermilk.
Buttermilk Recipe 2
Buttermilk Ingredients
- 1 cup of curd
- 3 cups of cold water
How to Prepare
- Take a deep mixing bowl to make buttermilk. Add one cup of curd in a mixing bowl and then add water to the curd.
| Tip: You can adjust according to your preference; make it thicker for lassi or thinner for a chaas-like consistency. |
- Whisk well till the curd and water mixture is smooth and creamy. Churn some more until the butter or white makhan floats on top; keep removing butter in another bowl as you whisk. When you take out all the butter, you’ll get buttermilk.
- Keep it for some time and whisk/stir once or twice to dissolve lumps that have settled. Your healthy buttermilk drink is ready!
Nutritional Value in Plain Buttermilk
One serving of one cup of buttermilk contains:
- Calories – 40 kcal
- Fats – 0.9 g
- Carbs – 4.8 g
- Protein -3.3 g
Benefits of Drinking Buttermilk
There are various health benefits of consuming homemade buttermilk. Some of them are mentioned below:
Fights Dehydration
Buttermilk comprises salt, electrolytes, and water, which are all vital in keeping your body dehydrated. You can drink a bottle of cold buttermilk whenever the heat gets to you.
Lowers Blood Pressure
According to research, the consumption of buttermilk helps in reducing blood pressure and managing metabolic health in a better way.
| Note: In case of hypertension, you should drink buttermilk with less or no salt. |
Digestive Health
Buttermilk acts as an excellent remedy for digestion because of the prebiotics contained in it. These probiotics maintain a healthy level of microbes in your intestines, promoting digestion and decreasing bloating. You may drink it after your meal to digest your food in a better way.
Ensures Healthy Bones
This drink contains a good amount of calcium and phosphorus that is required by your bones to stay strong and healthy. Thus, buttermilk helps maintain the strength of your bones and teeth. Moreover, it helps reduce the risk related to osteoporosis and dental issues.
Reduces Inflammation
Buttermilk contains probiotics, which might ease bowel movements and lower inflammation within the intestines, especially due to chronic constipation.
Helps Reduce Weight
Buttermilk recipes are low in calorie count and fats, hence making for a delicious drink for weight-conscious individuals. Besides that, it also helps promote satiety and manage appetite.
Customising Buttermilk Recipes
The make buttermilk recipes can be made more delightful by adding a simple twist of different ingredients. Here’s how:
Sweet Lassi
Mix jaggery or sugar in buttermilk and whisk it well. Top it with ice cubes and serve! Sweet lassi is perfect for beating the body heat during summer.
Minty Magic
Fresh mint and coriander leaves ground and are added to the buttermilk. Add sea salt and a pinch of chilli powder for seasoning. This is a perfect mood-boosting beverage.
Black Salt + Cumin Mix
Black salt gives an extra lip-smacking taste to the buttermilk. Add half a teaspoon of black salt and a pinch of roasted and powdered cumin seed and mix well. When taken after or with the meal, the preparation is perfect for digestion.
In Brief
Buttermilk is a refreshing beverage containing loads of health benefits, improving digestive health to managing weight and blood pressure. You can make buttermilk recipes at home with basic ingredients like curd, milk, vinegar, or lemon juice. You can have it plain or customise the taste with mint, black salt, and cumin powder ingredients.
