Yogurt drink (Ayran)
July 12, 2014 • Category: Beverages
I posted this image on the blog’s Facebook page, just to see how many people would respond to it. Initially I thought it was only an Eastern Mediterranean (Turkey) and Middle-Eastern drink; turns out it is popular in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, even in parts of China.
In Lebanon, it is called ayran and most people buy it at the neighborhood market already made. In the US, it is sold in Arab or ethnic groceries. Yet preparing it at home is easy and the great thing about it is that it is unsweetened, very refreshing and has protein and calcium from the yogurt. It is excellent with kebabs or grain-based dishes.
Above machine was photographed in a Beirut (Hamra) restaurant serving Aleppian cuisine. The machine keeps the ayran cold and smooth.
I am sharing a recipe from my friend and master chef Asma, who is of Kurdish heritage (it is called daw in Kurdish/Kurmanj).
INGREDIENTS: for one serving
1/2 cup yogurt, plain
1/2 cup water
pinch of salt, optional
1. Mix the yogurt and water till smooth. Add a sprinkle of mint if you like or drink it plain.
Three generations of Kurdish ladies, Asma (middle) and her sister Fikriyeh (right) are both Master Chefs.
Comments
14 Comments • Comments Feed
Iraqi says:
My family is from Baghdad and we drank yoghurt with club soda. I have seen a similar drink in 2 liter bottles in Middle Eastern markets here in California. Can’t recall the brand, though.
On July 12, 2014 at 1:37 pm
Joumana says:
@Iraqi: Forgot to mention this too! Thanks! I will ask my Iraqi friends, they are here from Baghdad for a respite from the scorching heat.
On July 12, 2014 at 10:52 pm
Kathy says:
This sounds refreshing and perfect for a quick pick-me-up. Thanks for sharing.
On July 12, 2014 at 7:15 pm
Sue says:
This is so simple — and I’m always looking for ways to use my homemade yogurt!
On July 12, 2014 at 9:02 pm
leaf says:
I had Ayran recently and really enjoyed it. Love the unsweetened taste which allows the good quality tangy yoghurt to shine.
On July 13, 2014 at 8:11 am
Ozlem's Turkish Tabl says:
Simplicity at its best; love a good frothy ayran – and this one looks so inviting 🙂
On July 14, 2014 at 2:29 pm
Susan says:
I’ll bet it would taste refreshing and delicious whirred in a blender with the mint leaves and some ice chips too.
On July 15, 2014 at 7:36 am
Oui, Chef says:
I LOVED drinking ayran while in Turkey last year, who knew it would be so easy to make at home, thanks for this one, Joumana!
On July 17, 2014 at 8:04 am
VEB says:
J’en goûterai volontiers tellement ça à l’air bien bon et ça me rappelle le laben. Mais je pense que ça n’a rien à voir.
On July 28, 2014 at 2:44 pm
james says:
easy to make but tasty and it makes you sleepy
On June 3, 2015 at 10:45 am
Joumana says:
@james: Really, this is the first time i hear this! Interesting!
On June 4, 2015 at 3:35 pm
Abdul Waheed says:
I must say that it is quite interesting recipe and a thirst quenching drink. Thanks for sharing such a nice piece of content about my favorite yogurt drink Ayran.
On February 24, 2017 at 4:49 pm
bellezza says:
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On April 10, 2017 at 3:29 am
Richard Baker says:
Great article! Thank you for providing valuable information.
On January 26, 2021 at 6:24 pm