Mattha

Mattha
Alternative namesMohi (in Nepal)
Place of originIndia, Bangladesh
Region or stateIndia, Bangladesh, Nepal
Main ingredientsButtermilk or dahi (yogurt)

Mattha (Bengali: মাঠা, romanizedMāṭhā, Hindi: मट्ठा, romanizedMaṭṭhā) is a beverage that originates from the Indian subcontinent. It is made from dahi (yogurt) or buttermilk mixed with spices and sugar. Plain buttermilk is also called Mattha in the Indian states of Bihar, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bangladesh[1] Ingredients added to buttermilk to make mattha may include mint, roasted cumin seeds, asafoetida, curry leaves, salt and sugar.[2][3]

Mattha may also be smoked before serving for flavour. It is generally served before or after a meal, though it can also be consumed with the meal, and it is thought to help with digestion. Mattha is similar to Chaas, which is also called chhanch or ghol, but spicier and is known as Mohi in Nepal.

  1. ^ Vidyarthi, L.P., Prasad, R. and Upadhyay, V.S., 1979. Changing dietary patterns and habits: a socio-cultural study of Bihar. Concept Publishing Company.[1]
  2. ^ Yildiz, Fatih (2010). Development and manufacture of yogurt and other functional dairy products. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 11. ISBN 9781420082081.
  3. ^ Pereira, Jiggs Kalra & Pushpesh Pant, with Raminder Malhotra; photographs, Ian (2004). Classic cooking of Punjab. New Delhi: Allied Publishers. ISBN 978-8177645668.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)