Lassi is a popular Indian drink that is a blend of yogurt, water, spices and sometimes fruit. It can be sweet or salty and is sometimes even infused with cannabis.
Traditional Indian Lassi in a "to go" cup. The thick topping is malai which is an ingredient in Indian cooking, made by skimming the top of boiled milk. It contains milk fat and coagulated milk proteins, with a fat content around 55%. Cream is the fattiest part of whole milk, collected by waiting for it to collect at the surface.
The traditional way to serve a lassi is in a clay terracotta cup. These cups are 100% natural, unpainted and unglazed which gives the drink an earthy flavor. Once you’ve finished your drink, you give the cup back to the stall vendor and he will smash and remake it. If these cups are thrown away they will dissolve quickly into the ground so they are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic or styrofoam.
Single use terracotta cups line the walls of this roadside shop
These cups are also said to be alkaline so using them can help reduce the acidic nature of your body. A body in an alkaline state is less likely to suffer from chronic disease.
Enjoying a chai in a terracotta cup at a pitstop on the way to Taj Mahal with one of our beloved artisan partners.
Simple Banana Lassi Recipe:
You can also substitute mango for banana if you prefer.
Ingredients:
-Two over-ripe bananas, in chunks
-1 1/4 cups whole milk yogurt
-2 ice cubes (add more for a milkshake consistency, as desired)
-1/3 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons of sugar or honey
-3 tbsp heavy whipping cream
-A dash of ground cardamom for taste (optional)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until completely smooth. Top with a pinch of cardamom to serve.