Is Lassi Hot or Cool?
Lassi is a cool drink.
Lassi, a popular beverage from the Indian subcontinent, is inherently cool. This is primarily due to its main ingredient: yogurt. Yogurt possesses natural cooling properties that help lower body temperature. Drinking lassi, especially during hot weather, provides immediate relief from the heat, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. [^1, ^2, ^7]
The cooling effect is further enhanced by the addition of ingredients like mint, cumin, and cardamom, often incorporated into various lassi recipes. [^1, ^7] Lassi is frequently used as a cooling antidote to spicy foods, effectively reducing the burning sensation. [^3, ^6]
Many sources describe lassi as the perfect drink for hot summer days, emphasizing its cooling properties and its role in beating the heat. [^4, ^5, ^8, ^9] The drink is often compared to a milkshake or smoothie, but without the addition of ice which is already cold and would make it even colder. [^4]
Several recipes highlight lassi's use during hot weather as a refreshing beverage. For example, mango lassi is a popular choice, relished in hot summers precisely because of its cooling qualities. [^2]
Different Types of Lassi
While the base of lassi is always yogurt, various ingredients can be added to customize the taste and, to a degree, the temperature. For example, a lassi with added ice would be colder than one served at room temperature.
- Sweet Lassi: Typically made with yogurt, sugar, and fruit (such as mango).
- Salty Lassi: Features yogurt, spices, and sometimes a bit of salt.
- Spiced Lassi: Includes yogurt, spices like cardamom or cumin.
Regardless of the specific variation, however, the underlying cooling effect from the yogurt remains.
[^1]: Benefits of Lassi in Summer: Hydration, Probiotics, Cooling Effect ... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/benefits-of-lassi-in-summer-hydration-probiotics-cooling-effect-immunity-boost/articleshow/110441415.cms
[^2]: Lassi Recipe (Authentic Punjabi Style) » Dassana's Veg Recipes https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/sweet-lassi-punjabi-lassi/
[^3]: Apricot Lassi – A Primal Beverage To Cool Your Mouth When Eating ... https://salixisme.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/apricot-lassi-a-primal-beverage-to-cool-your-mouth-when-eating-spicy-food/
[^4]: Mango Lassi - Pastry Affair https://www.pastryaffair.com/blog/mango-lassi.html
[^5]: Turmeric Mango Lassi is a Great Way to Cool Off and Care For ... https://robinasbell.com/2018/06/turmeric-is-still-hot-and-cooling-in-this-turmeric-mango-lassi/
[^6]: How to cool a really hot curry? : r/AskUK https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/10ifqcb/how_to_cool_a_really_hot_curry/
[^7]: Drinks to keep you cool as the world heats up : NPR https://www.npr.org/2024/07/16/g-s1-10524/drinks-to-keep-you-cool-as-the-world-heats-up
[^8]: Lassi Recipe - Cook With Manali https://www.cookwithmanali.com/lassi-recipe/
[^9]: Lottie + Doof » Strawberry Lassi https://www.lottieanddoof.com/2013/05/strawberry-lassi/
