Ayran

Ayran

Fresh susurluk ayranı with a head of froth
Alternative names Laban, Doogh, katık, qeshk
Type Dairy product
Course Beverage
Place of origin Turkic Central Asia
Creator Turkic people
Serving temperature Cold
Main ingredients Yogurt, water
Food energy
(per serving)
 410 kcal/l [1] kcal
Cookbook:Ayran  Ayran

Ayran is a cold yogurt beverage mixed with salt.[2] In addition to Turkey, where it is considered a national drink, ayran could found in the Turkic countries, Armenia (where it is called tan), Iran, especially the Iranian Azerbaijan (Doogh), Bulgaria, the Balkans, the Arabic countries, Cyprus, Russia and across the Caucasus.[3] [4] Its primary ingredients are water and yogurt, and ayran has been variously described as "a most refreshing drink made by mixing yogurt with iced water"[5] and "diluted yogurt".[6]

Ayran is served chilled and often as an accompaniment to grilled meat or rice,[7] especially during summer.[8] It is an acquired taste for Westerners due to its salty taste distinct from sugary beverages widespread in Europe and North America.

Similar beverages include the Iranian doogh,[9] but yogurt drinks are popular beyond the Middle East region—ayran has been likened by some to the South Asian lassi.[10]

History

Ayran is a traditional Turkish drink and was consumed by nomadic Turks prior to 1000 CE.[6] Although less popular today, another traditional Turkish dairy beverage is fermented mare's milk, kumis.[6]

Contemporary ayran

Ayran is ubiquitous in Turkey and offered at almost all places that serve drinks, including fast-food restaurants, such as McDonald's and Burger King.[11]

The town of Susurluk is well known in Turkey for its ayran, which characteristically has a foamy head and creamy taste.[12][13]

Etymology

Some Turkish language dictionaries state the word ayran derives from Old Turkish for buttermilk.[14]

See also

Similar beverages

References

  1. ↑ http://www.kalorisepeti.com/kac_kalori.php?yid=1361&kalorisi=Sütaş%20Tam%20Yağlı%20Ayran
  2. ↑ A. Y. Tamime (ed.) (2008). Fermented Milks. John Wiley & Sons. p. 124. ISBN 9781405172387.
  3. ↑ For popularity in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan see Yildiz Fatih (2010). Development and Manufacture of Yogurt and Other Functional Dairy Products. CRC Press. p. 10. ISBN 9781420082081. For the Balkans, see Leslie Strnadel, Patrick Erdley (2012). Bulgaria (Other Places Travel Guide). Other Places Publishing. p. 58. ISBN 9780982261996.
    • For use in Afghanistan by Kirghiz, see Nazif Shahrani, M. (2013). The Kirghiz and Wakhi of Afghanistan. 9780295803784: University of Washington Press. pp. 92–93.
    • For Lebanon, see A. Y. Tamime (ed.) (2008). Fermented Milks. John Wiley & Sons. p. 96. ISBN 9781405172387.
    • For presence in the North Caucasus, see Smih, Sebastian (2006). Allah's Mountains: The Battle for Chechnya. Tauris Parke Paperbacks. p. 25. ISBN 9781850439790.
  4. ↑ "Development and Manufacture of Yogurt and Other Functional Dairy Products". Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  5. ↑ Lake Van and Turkish Kurdistan: A Botanical Journey P. H. Davis The Geographical Journal, Vol. 122, No. 2 (Jun., 1956), pp. 156-165 Published by: The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) Article DOI: 10.2307/1790844
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Turkish Delights Nevin Halici Gastronomica: The Journal of Critical Food Studies, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Winter 2001), pp. 92-93 Published by: University of California Press Article DOI: 10.1525/gfc.2001.1.1.92
  7. ↑ "Turkish Buttermilk". www.kultur.gov.tr. Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Turkey. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  8. ↑ Gina Husamettin. "Ayran – Turkish national beverage". balkon3.com. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  9. ↑ Yildiz Fatih (2010). Development and Manufacture of Yogurt and Other Functional Dairy Products. CRC Press. p. 10. ISBN 9781420082081.
  10. ↑ Heyhoe, Kate. The ABC's of Larousse Gastronomique : ayran
  11. ↑ For ayran at Turkish McDonalds, see "İçecekler: Ayran (250 ml)". McDonalds Turkey. Anadolu Restoran İşletmeleri Ltd. Şti. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  12. ↑ "Fame of foamy ayran goes beyond borders". Hürriyet Daily News. Hürriyet - Doğan Yayın Holding. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  13. ↑ "City Guide > Balıkesir > Don't Leave Without". kultur.gov.tr. Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Turkey. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  14. ↑ "Ayran". EtimolojiTurkce.com. Tehlif Hakları. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
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