Yayla ayran

Ayran is a extremely refreshing, very healthy and super famous drink in Turkey. Salty-yogurt foam up to beautiful perfection. It goes perfectly with many dishes like kebabs, pastries or any spicy meal. 

It is a simple mixture of yogurt, water and salt. Although non-Turkish people are likely to consider it as a summer drink probably because it is refreshing, this easy savory yogurt drink can’t be limited to one season. People in Turkey drink it all year round pairing with anything from Menemen (eggs with tomatoes) to their favorite Borek (stuffed phyllo sheets).

It’s very common in Turkey that you have simit (Turkish style bagel) and ayran for lunch. So it won’t be wrong to say that it is as common as water here. 

Besides being a wonderful thirst-quincher, this Turkish yogurt drink is very healthy too. For one thing, it is good for your digestive system, gut flora and a good source of protein and calcium thanks to yogurt. Also, it’s the best treat when your body dehydrate and lose salt during summer months.

Ayran is mainly the mixture of yogurt, cold water and salt, but there are some variations. The most popular one is produced in Susurluk, a small town in the West of Turkey.

What makes its ayran special is that it’s so frothy. You can imagine how it’s fun to drink it! The first part you have is its froth on the top and then you reach ayran. In some places, a few sprigs of fresh mint is added to give it more freshness and it becomes like a different drink with this combination! I prefer my ayran plain if I’m having it with some food, but I love to add fresh mint into it if I’m drinking it just for pleasure.

Ingredients:

Yoghurt (50,1%), water, salt, modified starch, stabilizer: pectin.

Storage

Minimum Shelf-Life: 50 days
Storage temperature: +4°C – +6°C

Average nutrition value per 100g