The key difference between a regular lassi and a mango lassi is the primary flavoring: a lassi is a broader category of yogurt-based drink that can be flavored with various fruits, spices, or herbs, while a mango lassi specifically features mango as its main fruit ingredient.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Lassi (General):
- Base: Yogurt (typically plain yogurt) is the foundation.
- Flavoring: Can be sweet (sugar, honey), savory (salt, spices like cumin), or fruit-based (strawberries, bananas, etc.). Herbs like mint can also be added.
- Ingredients: Yogurt, water or milk (to adjust consistency), sweetener or spices, and optional fruits/herbs.
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Mango Lassi (Specific):
- Base: Yogurt (typically plain yogurt) is the foundation.
- Flavoring: Mango is the dominant flavor. Ripe mango pulp or puree is essential.
- Ingredients: Yogurt, mango pulp or puree, water or milk (to adjust consistency), sweetener (sugar or honey is common), and sometimes cardamom for added flavor.
In essence, all mango lassis are a type of lassi, but not all lassis are mango lassis. The defining characteristic is the presence and prominence of mango in the latter. A plain lassi might contain just yogurt and water/milk, and a sweet lassi would add a sweetener.
