WHAT IS AYRAN?

Ayran is a traditional Balkan yoghurt drink that resembles kefir. Made with diluted yoghurt, ayran is full of prebiotics and has a beautiful silky texture. It’s refreshing and hydrating, easy to make and great to serve chilled or on ice. Ayran is a wonderful accompaniment to any meal. It compliments dry foods really well and makes them easy to digest.

HISTORY OF YOGHURT AND AYRAN.

Although Bulgarian scientists claim that yoghurt was discovered accidentally in the territory of nowadays Bulgaria around 4,000 years ago, many international historians believe it’s more likely that yoghurt originated in the Middle East due to evidence showing that goats and sheep have been domesticated in the Mesopotamian region earlier, since 5000 BC.

It’s a fact that the natural process of creating yoghurt could have happened anywhere and anytime in the world if the right conditions were present. Nomads kept their milk in animal skins that provided a ripe environment for bacteria to grow and cause the fermentation of milk. That is how yoghurt occurs.

There are speculations that this yoghurt drink was introduced to the Balkans by the Ottomans as early as the 15th century.

Similar yoghurt drinks exist in Iran (dough) and in India (lassi). In Iran, the drink is flavoured with mint and in India with fruits and sweetened with sugar.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF AYRAN.

Ayran is a refreshing and hydrating drink, great to have in summer. It’s beneficial to people with low blood pressure and to those who lack calcium. It’s rich in probiotics which makes it a very healthy drink.

Ayran can be prepared with full-fat yoghurt, making it suitable for those following a ketonic diet.

HOW TO MAKE AYRAN?

📋 INGREDIENTS IN THE YOGHURT DRINK

Ayran is a very simple drink. You can make it by dissolving yoghurt with as much as 40% water and adding just a small pinch of salt. You can mix ayran with a stick blender to create bubbles or whisk it by hand.

Contemporary recipes for ayran call for flavouring the drink with fresh dill, cucumber or fresh fruit and honey. Many believe these flavour-enhanced versions boost energy levels and strengthen the spirit.

📖 STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Dilute the yoghurt in water

Place the yoghurt in a large bowl and pour the water into the yoghurt. Whisk them to a smooth consistency with a hand mixer or by hand. I prefer the drink made with a mixer because it gets very light and airy with a lot of froth on top.

STEP 2: Add flavouring

If you decide to use any of the flavourings above, add them after you have diluted the yoghurt and stir well to integrate the flavour.

For the savoury version of the drink, which is also the traditional one back home, serve it with a pinch of salt. I sometimes skip the salt, yet when it’s served on a hot summer day a bit of salt can be beneficial.

🍲 HOW TO SERVE THE REFRESHING YOGHURT DRINK

If you like the taste of yoghurt, you will love this drink! It tastes light and silky and is great to serve with dry foods. Ayran tastes even better if you chill the drink in the fridge before serving it, or pour it into a glass with a few cubes of ice.

I prefer my ayran thicker and enjoy sipping with a straw. It’s a great way to tempt children to drink it.

Ayran is a fantastic drink to serve with boreks and filo pies for breakfast or as a snack.