Fresh Turmeric Chaas

January 10, 2021mayurisjikoni
Blog post

EVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY

THEME: CELEBRATE DAIRY

RECIPE: FRESH TURMERIC CHAAS

What is Fresh Turmeric Chaas?

Fresh Turmeric Chaas is a refreshing yogurt drink with grated fresh turmeric added to it. Healthy, immunity boosting and delicious, hubby and I try and have this drink at least five times a week if not more.

Difference Between Lassi and Chaas

Though often both are interchanged, they basically are not the same. The similarity ends at yogurt.  Chaas is usually made with added water and has no sugar. Lassi on the other hand is thick like a smoothie, may have a little added milk and may have sugar, honey or any other sweetener added to it. Sometimes lassi can be of the savory kind too, with salt added but its still thick like a smoothie. These days there are a variety of fresh fruits added to lassi. Chaas or chach is more watery, lighter and commonly enjoyed with a meal in most parts of the Indian Sub Continent. While some add only salt, others may add fresh ginger, garlic, or green chilis or simply a bit of cumin powder.

Some Chaas Recipes you may want to check out

Chaas is a part of our daily lunch. As a result I try and make different flavored chaas whenever I can. During this Covid Pandemic time, hubby and I have been having fresh turmeric or turmeric powder almost daily and we both prefer to have it in our chaas.

Coriander Garlic Chaas- Fresh Coriander or Cilantro and garlic paste are added to the basic chaas.

Vaghareli Chaas – a tempering of cumin seeds, curry leaves, fresh coriander and a bit of green chilli added to plain chaas makes it so flavorful.

Cucumber Coriander Chaas – during the hot season, blending cucumber and fresh coriander wit yogurt makes this chaas so refreshing and cooling.

 

Why Use Fresh Turmeric or Turmeric Powder?

Here are some of the health benefits of turmeric. The secret weapon in the turmeric is curcumin

  • Curcurmin is believed to halt enzymes that may be responsible for turning environmental toxins into carcinogens.
  • Curcumin improves digestion of fats and sugars.
  • As a powerful anti inflammatory, it helps fight inflammation therefore helping the body fight germs, stomach ailments, gum diseases etc.
  • Helps to relieve arthritic pain.
  • Beneficial for the heart and the circulatory system
  • Helps in certain skin ailments like itchiness and psoriasis.
  • Helps in the proper functioning of the liver.
  • Turmeric paste wards off pimples and acne.
  • Improves skin complexion and hair health.

How to use Fresh Turmeric?

Fresh Turmeric can be added to curries, soups, or add to your salad dressing. Check out my Turmeric Yogurt Salad Dressing. Or add it to your Turmeric Tea Latte (haldi ka doodh)

I prefer to soak whole fresh turmeric in normal tap water for at least 30 minutes. This helps peeling it much easier. Rather than slicing off chunks of turmeric with the skin (total waste of fresh turmeric), its best to scrape off the peel. Before you do that please wear disposal gloves otherwise you will land up with yellow hands! One peeled you can chop into pieces and grind to a paste in your food processor. If you don’t want a yellow food processor (mind you once washed it doesn’t impart the colour or flavour to other ingredients you may process), then grate it. I prefer to grate it. I then store the extra grated turmeric in the freezer in a ziplock bag. Put the grated turmeric in a ziplock bag, flatten it and freeze. When required just snap off a piece or chunk.

Can you make this Chaas without Fresh Turmeric?

Definitely you can. Just use ½ tsp turmeric powder instead of 1 tsp fresh grated turmeric.

When you can enjoy Fresh Turmeric Chaas?

  • Have it for breakfast
  • Enjoy it along with your main meal
  • How about a healthy snack treat, as its filling
  • Summer Drink – ideal drink for picnics, garden parties.

Sunday Funday

Sunday Funday is a group of Food Bloggers who every Sunday share some fun, traditional, hearty or easy recipes to make Sunday Family Meals a bit more exciting. If you’re interested in joining this fun group then visit the Sunday Funday Facebook PageRequest to join in. This Sunday the theme is Celebrate Dairy, suggested by Rebekah. January 11th is actually the National Milk Day for US. Rebekah suggested we use any dairy product to prepare the Sunday Funday recipe. I’ve used my favorite, yogurt.

Check out what Dairy Products fellow members have used:

 

Ingredients required for Fresh Turmeric Chaas

  • Plain Yogurt – the yogurt must be plain and thick. Use ready made or home made yogurt.
  • Water – chilled or room temperature.
  • Fresh Turmeric – grated or minced.
  • Salt – any and according to your taste.
  • Pepper Powder – piperine in pepper enhances the cur cumin absorption.
  • Garlic – use a small clove or half of it. Adds flavor. Omit if you don’t like the taste of raw garlic.
  • Green Chilli – paste. Crush a chilli with a pestle. Again totally up to you if you want to add it.
  • Fresh Coriander/ Cilantro – goes well in chaas and adds flavour.

 

fresh turmeric chaas 1

 

FRESH TURMERIC CHAAS

mayurisjikoni
Fresh Turmeric Chaas is a refreshing yogurt drink with grated fresh turmeric added to it. It is healthy, immunity boosting and delicious.
4.86 from 7 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks, Snack
Cuisine Indian
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup thick plain yogurt
  • 1 cup water chilled
  • 1 tsp fresh turmeric paste
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper powder
  • 1 tbsp fresh coriander chopped
  • 1 clove garlic crushed or minced
  • ¼ tsp green chili paste optional

Instructions
 

  • Add yogurt, water, salt, pepper powder, garlic, fresh turmeric paste and green chilli paste in a big jug or a tall container like a beaker.
  • Using a hand blender whisk the mixture for a 30 seconds or so. Or use a hand whisk.
  • This helps to make the mixture smooth.
  • Pour into two serving glasses.
  • Top with chopped coriander and serve.

Notes

  • Omit green chilis if you don't like them.
  • If you don't have fresh turmeric, use ½ tsp turmeric powder.
  • Use chilled water as the chaas tastes better. However, that does not mean you cannot use room temperature water.
  • Adjust salt according to your taste.
  • It is recommended that turmeric and pepper should be consumed together.
Keyword fresh turmeric chaas recipe, haldi chaas

Pin for Later:

 

A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

  • add a comment below,
  • send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
  •  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
  • or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962
 

24 Comments

  • Carlee

    January 10, 2021 at 6:24 pm

    I have never used fresh turmeric, though I have seen it in the store and have been tempted. I need to actually pick some up next time as this looks great.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      January 12, 2021 at 4:54 pm

      Thanks Carlee, pick up a bit and try it, its healthy and can be used in soups, salad dressing, etc.

  • Karen

    January 11, 2021 at 12:21 am

    These are so pretty! Great information about turmeric too.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      January 12, 2021 at 4:52 pm

      Thanks Karen.

  • Creamy Asparagus Soup with Ham Stock

    January 11, 2021 at 12:24 am

    […] Fresh Turmeric Chaas by Mayuri’s Jikoni […]

  • Wendy Klik

    January 11, 2021 at 3:27 pm

    Great idea to keep that immune system healthy with this easy and delicious sounding drink. Thanks for sharing it with us Mayuri. Glad to have you as part of the Sunday Funday group.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      January 12, 2021 at 4:52 pm

      Thank you Wendy, nice to be back with some of you I know from BB group. Please do try out the drink.

  • Colleen – Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck

    January 11, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    I can’t even begin to imagine what this would taste like…guess that means that I need to make it and see! So intrigued!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      January 12, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      Thanks Colleen. That is true, you’ve got to try it to know how it tastes.

  • Maria

    January 19, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    5 stars
    Nothing more refreshing than chaas when it comes to desi drinks! And with the added advantages of turmeric, this drink should accompany lunch everyday!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      January 19, 2021 at 7:11 pm

      Thanks Maria, chaas is a must have for us everyday.

  • Azlin Bloor

    January 19, 2021 at 11:23 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve never heard of chaas, very interesting. I’m a huge fan of lassi, so I know that I will love this, because sometimes you just want something lighter. The chilli paste is interesting!

    1. mayurisjikoni

      January 20, 2021 at 4:37 pm

      Thank you Azlin, as I mentioned the difference is in the consistency.. lassi is so much thicker. Try the recipe.

  • Archana

    January 20, 2021 at 9:45 am

    5 stars
    Though I make chaas every day I have never used turmeric in it. And fresh one tho never! I love the idea must check if I can get fresh turmeric now. Love the idea and will try it.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      January 20, 2021 at 4:34 pm

      Thank you Archana. I’ve been adding fresh or powdered turmeric ever since the pandemic started. I’m sure you’ll find it in the market as usually during winter its readily available.

  • Mina Joshi

    January 28, 2021 at 11:03 am

    5 stars
    Chaas with fresh turmeric sounds delicious and I can’t wait to try making it. Turmeric in any form is so beneficial to health. I don’t often manage to get fresh turmeric but lately, supermarkets are stocking small packs to use in Thai cooking so I must pick some up.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      January 28, 2021 at 4:29 pm

      Thank you so much Mina, even when you don’t get fresh turmeric use turmeric powder. I generally have mine with hot lemon water but hubby doesn’t so I add it to the chaas which he loves so much.

  • Priya Vj

    February 3, 2021 at 8:21 pm

    5 stars
    I am going to try this tomorrow itself.. I have some fresh turmeric left from the Pongal celebrations. I loved the way the light yellow color chaach is inviting me to gulp it down

    1. mayurisjikoni

      February 3, 2021 at 10:03 pm

      Thank you Priya, it tastes really good, so go on, try it.

  • Linsy Patel

    February 4, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    4 stars
    This is for my husband, he can have water with haldi in it , I can make him without the chilies though, looks great

    1. mayurisjikoni

      February 5, 2021 at 9:18 pm

      Thanks Linsy.

  • Bridal Hairstyles

    February 7, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, fantastic site!

  • Preethicuisine

    August 11, 2021 at 9:49 am

    5 stars
    Fresh Turmeric chaas with garlic is absolutely irresistible. Lovely flavors infused into the chaas. A perfect summer thirst quencher.

    1. mayurisjikoni

      August 11, 2021 at 1:33 pm

      Thank you so much Preethi.

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