Lassi

Lassi (Hindi: लस्सी Lassi; Urdu لسی ) is the name given to a predominantly Indian yogurt drink. You can also get in neighboring countries but Lassi. It occurs in variants in Asia and Eastern Europe, for example, as Ayran in Turkey and the Middle East. You can drink lassi like to spicy foods, since - in contrast to other drinks - by the fat content reduces the sharpness of the food and increase its digestibility. Lassi is (if served cold ) a refreshing milk-based beverage.

In Germany, the product name Lassi from different manufacturers is used for yogurt fruit flavored drinks.

Production and origin

Based on the basic recipe Lassi is made ​​of water or milk with yogurt in a mixing ratio of 1:1 ( or 1:2 ); the sweet version contains sugar and saffron, fruit juice or pureed fruit ( for example, as mango lassi ), which is salty flavored variant known as Namkin lassi. The base is yogurt with strong acidifying cultures (Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus ).

Nearly every Asian country has its own Lassi Recipe. So the (Mango ) / yogurt / water mixture usually also palm flowers seeds ( Kefra - Water), rose water, cardamom, cumin or vinegar and sugar are added. In Germany produced Lassi is different taste of Asian Lassi, since the milk from other breeds of cattle used comes.

An Indian specialty is the so-called bhang lassi is, it contains dried cannabis leaves or blossoms, and is often consumed at the boisterous Indian festivals such as Shivaratri, a festival in honor of Lord Shiva.

For industrial production, there are still mostly thickeners such as locust bean gum and / or pectin in it.

History

Even in the texts of the Vedic period saw the first milk and yoghurt drinks in India their mention. In the Vedic sacrificial food and drink, in addition to praising the priority gifts of the people to the gods, and only valuable foods were offered to the gods, including also fell dairy products. Thus, it was important guests also a ( salty ) Lassi offered if water or tea was considered too ordinary. The fruity and sweet lassi came to the noble houses. They wanted to with the soothing cooling effect and the purported health increase even connect a pleasure.

Similar drinks

• Dugh ( Persia )
• Laban ( Arabia)