Now carbonated lassi for Indians

By Ankush Chibber, 23-Aug-2012

Cola makers in India might have a battle on their hands if a recent breakthrough in making a carbonated version of lassi, a traditional Indian yoghurt-based drink, is commercialized.

A glass of lassi - could soon be carbonated...The breakthrough has come via scientists at the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), who have discovered a bacteria strain, Leuconostoc Ln 27, which will be used to manufacture carbonated sweet lassi.

A spokesperson for the research institute confirmed to FoodNavigator-Asia that the scientists have been able to use the strain in the preparation of the carbonated lassi, for which they have filed a patent.

According to him, since Indian laws do not allow patenting of organisms, the beverage itself will be patented. The drink would be healthier than regular lassi as well, being 35% less in calories and 65% lower in sugar content.

“The drink will not have any artificial sweetener either. Ln 27 releases a very high level of natural sweetener, mannitol, when it reacts with sugar in curd.  What we get is a sweet mixture with high value mannitol that preserves the sweetness, and a low sugar content,” he said.

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