Ayran is a fermented milk product, very popular among the peoples of the Caucasus, Transcaucasia and the Middle East. It can be used as a base for soups or as a soft drink. It is the widespread use of ayran that is considered one of the reasons for the longevity of Caucasians.
How to cook ayran
Ayran is based on milk from domestic animals - cows, sheep, goats. Some recipes suggest mixing these 3 ingredients. Then the milk needs to be boiled over low heat until it evaporates by 1/3. Boiling is necessary to kill pathogenic microorganisms that multiply especially rapidly in milk in hot climates. Sourdough is added to the milk cooled to room temperature and left to ferment.
At home, you can use a crust of black bread, sour cream or fermented baked milk as a leaven.
Fermented boiled milk is called katyk. If you drain this curdled milk, you get suzma - a thick product that resembles cottage cheese or sour cream.
If you add chopped vegetables and herbs to ayran, you get a wonderful summer soup. To prepare a soft drink, ayran is diluted with cold water, spring or mineral water. Water should be poured in a thin stream, stirring constantly, in a ratio of 3: 1. You can add chopped mint or lemon balm to the drink. Such ayran perfectly refreshes and soothes, relieves fatigue and quenches thirst. You can make ayran-based fruit yogurt. To do this, add chopped fruits to sauerkraut and leave to infuse for several hours. You can simply beat the ayran and fruits in a blender.
The benefits of ayran
Like all lactic acid products, ayran destroys putrefactive bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract and restores microflora. Fresh ayran removes constipation and improves intestinal motility. Simple proteins and fatty acids that make up fermented milk are easily absorbed by the body, enriching it with calcium, potassium, vitamins B, A and D.
Ayran strengthens the heart muscle, has a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, improves immunity, and helps to remove toxins from the body.
Despite the rich content of nutrients, ayran is a low-calorie product, so it is included in the diet if you want to lose weight. You can replace dinner with ayran - among other things, this drink soothes and is a mild sleeping pill. It is useful to arrange 1-2 fasting days a week, eating ayran. So that the food does not seem too bland, you can add fragrant herbs or apple pieces to ayran.
Fresh cold ayran perfectly relieves hangover syndrome.
Contraindications
Individual intolerance to milk protein may become a contraindication to the use of ayran. In addition, stale ayran is dangerous, especially if it was not stored in the refrigerator.
