Global Dairy Private Limited has started commercial production of butter milk, known as mohi in Nepali.

Mohi, known as mattha in Hindi, a popular fermented dairy drink originating in the Indian subcontinent, is the liquid left behind after churning butter out of cultured cream.

The dairy plant in Imilia in ward 9 of Buddhabhumi Municipality in Kapilvastu district has been producing 1,000 litres of mohi daily since mid-April. The company said the demand for the drink, a good source of protein and calcium, has been growing.

In Nepal, it is consumed especially during the summer. The producer said that traditionally the drink used to be a favourite in villages, but gradually lost its appeal to more popular beverages like Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

“That is why we have started the production and branding of mohi,” said Thaneshwor Neupane, chairman of Global Dairy.

“We are the first Nepali company to start the commercial production of bottled mohi and label it. We have introduced the product in the market with attractive packaging.”

The company has expanded sales and distribution to six districts of Lumbini province.

“This is our first phase of expansion. We have planned to go across Nepal,” said Neupane.

The brand, ‘Buddhabhumi’, is named after the birthplace of Buddha.

Shankar Pandey, finance chief of the company, said that the drinks give energy and refresh people.

The retail price is Rs50 per litre bottle.

The dairy factory said it has spent Rs15 on each bottle and its labelling, bringing the total cost to Rs38-40 per bottle, Pandey said.

“We have given special focus to maintaining the standard and purity of mohi.”

Mohi is made from curd recommended by the food technologist. First, the substance that turns milk into curd is tested. After that, the acidic and potential hydrogen levels are tested, and mohi is made only from consumable curd.

The curd is then mixed with processed water in a machine until it reaches the right consistency for bottling. The finished product is packaged in sets of 12 bottles and is sent to the market based on demand.

“Bottling is also nice, and the taste is also good,” said Punaram Aryal, a consumer from Imilia.

The company said 28,000 litres of mohi have been sold so far since its production started last week.

The mohi produced is consumable within 5-6 days from the date of manufacture.

According to locals, mohi has become a great option to other cold beverages produced by multinational companies. “Public response to the product is positive and this has encouraged us,” Neupane said.

The factory currently has been producing 3,000 litres of mohi daily, Neupane said.

Rajendra Singh Lodh, a food technologist, said special attention has been given to the purity and quality of the product.

In Ayurveda, the traditional system of Indian medicine, it is also said that drinking mohi after meals makes the body healthy and active.

Daily consumption of mohi boosts immunity and improves the digestive system, according to food technologists.

Mohi is rich in potassium, calcium, and protein. It also gives the body freshness and hydrates it.

Drinking mohi is also considered beneficial for people fighting long-term diseases.

Global Dairy, which has been operating for a decade, has started producing mohi as a new product, with an investment of Rs500 million. The company, which has been producing 50,000 litres of milk daily, said it is planning to increase the capacity to 100,000 litres.

It aims to produce powdered milk too.

“If the marketing of mohi goes well, then it will also be a boon for dairy farmers who often face milk holidays,” said dairy farmer Shiva Gulam Kori of Budhhabhmi municipality.

The company has 79 collection centres in Lumbini province and two in Sudurpaschim province, and it has 15,000 farmers associated with it. It sells dairy products by coordinating with around 500 collection centres across the province. The company has provided direct employment to 200 people.

Dr Mukesh Chaudhary, the medical chief of Kapilvastu Hospital, said that mohi is more beneficial to health compared to other cold drinks. “It is important to drink mohi for vitamins D and calcium. It hydrates the body and balances the body's temperature.”