Buttermilk is a popular tasty drink in India and all over Asia. Traditionally it is a by-product of the process of making butter. The buttermilk in hindi has the name chhach. It is the liquid that is left over after you churn out the butter from the cream. You can make this special drink by using simple yoghurt or fresh curd. The companies make them commercially, by adding a bacterial culture to the skimmed milk. They are available in many varieties and tastes. The drink has a slightly sour and acidic taste. You can prepare scones and soda bread using the buttermilk. The chhach is a very healthy drink, which people consume in huge numbers, in the summers. The buttermilk price is very reasonable.

It has many health benefits like:

• Overcoming dehydration 
• Assisting digestion
• Maintains body temperature
• Keeps body cool

Types:

In India, people consume buttermilk in large numbers. There are two types of Buttermilk available in the market including:

• Plain Buttermilk - Plain Buttermilk comprises a mixture of fresh curd, salt and chilled water. It is an easy and quick recipe for a cool beverage, on a hot summer day.
• Masala buttermilk - Masala Buttermilk is also known as Masala Chhach, it comprises curd, jeera powder, green chilli, cilantro, curry leaves, black salt, chaat masala, salt and water. It has a tangy and spicy taste, which lingers in the mouth for long. It is very beneficial for health as well.

Some Famous recipes:

This drink is a delicacy in South India and has a high consumption rate. There are many ways to use Buttermilk in food. Some Indian Recipes made with Masala Buttermilk, having health benefiting are given below:

1. Buttermilk Dosa Recipe

Make delicious and soft dosa for breakfast, snack, or lunch. It includes plain buttermilk, rice, water, methi seeds, some cooked rice and grated coconut. 

Follow the instructions:

• Rinse and soak the rice and methi seeds in buttermilk for 3-4 hours.
• Drain the rice and keep the liquid aside.
• Grind the leftover liquid, the soaked rice, methi seeds, coconut and cooked rice, into a thick paste. Let the mixture ferment for 5-6 hours.
• Heat a pan on medium flame and grease it with butter.
• Add a scoop of the batter and cover the pan. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes.
• When bubbles start to form, flip it over and cook for a few more minutes.
• Serve it hot with chutney.

2. Buttermilk Curry

Buttermilk curry or Indian Curry is a famous Gujarati dish, which is found in almost all the homes. It comprises buttermilk, green chillies, rice flour and spices. The tangy sour taste is a treat for the tongue, and people serve it along with rice on special occasions.

The recipe is as follows:

• In a bowl, add buttermilk, salt, turmeric and rice flour. Mix it well into a smooth and make a creamy paste.
• Chop ginger, green chillies, coriander leaves, curry leaves.
• Take a pan and heat oil in it at medium flame.
• Add mustard seeds, and when they start spluttering, add fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies, and asafetida and curry leaves. Stir it properly.
• Now add ginger, green chillies and cilantro and sauté it.
• Turn down the flame and add the butter buttermilk. Stir the mixture continuously for 5-6 minutes.
• Turn off the flame and serve.

3. Raita 

Raita is a side dish in nearly Indian households... People consume it with rice or any bread type.

• The recipe is as follows:
• Take some buttermilk in a bowl.
• Add grated cucumber, cumin powder, black pepper, salt and chopped coriander leaves.
• Mix it well and chill it.
• Serve with food.

4. Buttermilk Sambar

It is a famous south Indian dish, with plenty of vegetables and spices. People eat it with rice, dosa or idli.

The recipe is as follows:

• In a pan, heat coconut oil, red chilli powder, turmeric powder; and sauté it.
• Chop the vegetables like lady finger and brinjal.
• Add some salt and tamarind powder. Cook for 4-5 minutes.
• In a separate pan roast urad and tuvar dal, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chilli   powder, fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds, ginger, coconut, black pepper, garlic and sea salt.
• Grind this mixture into a paste.
• Now take a pan, add oil and the paste. Add little water to it and cook the paste till oil is apart from the paste.
• Add some tamarind extract, and jaggery to the mixture.
• Add buttermilk and keep stirring.
• Add vegetables, cover it and cook on medium flame.
• Add the tadka and serve. 

Along with a tasty tangy taste, this drink is very healthy for the body. People can also try these easy milk products recipes and enjoy it in hot weather.

Does ButterMilk Contain Butter?

Buttermilk does not contain any butter. It is the leftover liquid over after you churn out the butter, from the heavy cream milk.