Why Ayran Dominates Summer Drinks and How to Easily Prepare It
What is Ayran and Why Do Not Only Turks Love It?
Summer is in full swing, temperatures are rising, and people are looking for refreshments that are healthy, natural, and easily accessible. Many reach for fruit juices, lemonades, or iced coffee, but few know that the ideal summer drink can also be ayran – a fermented yogurt drink popular from Turkey to Pakistan. Why has ayran become a common part of many people's diets worldwide, and how can you make it at home?
Ayran is a traditional drink originating from the Middle East, with a history going back hundreds of years. The first mentions can be found among nomadic peoples, who valued it for its refreshing and probiotic properties. The main ingredient is quality yogurt, mixed with water and a pinch of salt. The result is a slightly salty, mildly sour drink that hydrates and aids digestion.
Why Ayran is Gaining Popularity Beyond Its Original Countries
In recent years, ayran has found its way onto the tables of European households, not only due to the growing popularity of Turkish cuisine. People are increasingly realizing that healthy eating doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Ayran is a great example of a simple food product offering high nutritional value with minimal ingredients.
Unlike common lemonades or sweetened dairy drinks, ayran contains no sugar or artificial substances. Its main component, yogurt, is a source of protein, calcium, and probiotics that support intestinal microflora. Moreover, due to its salt content, it helps the body retain fluids better, which is invaluable on hot days. It is no wonder that ayran is often consumed by athletes or people with an active lifestyle as a natural electrolyte drink.
Interestingly, in some countries, ayran is even served with the main meal. In Turkey, it is common to order it with kebab meals, but also with vegetarian dishes like stuffed peppers or lentil soup. Its light and refreshing taste excellently balances more intense or spicy food flavors.
How to Make Homemade Ayran? A Recipe Anyone Can Handle
One of the advantages of ayran is that its preparation is really simple – it doesn't require any special equipment or experience. If you have quality plain yogurt at home, you can make ayran in just a few minutes. Here is a proven recipe for homemade ayran that anyone can handle:
Ayran – Simple Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of quality plain yogurt (preferably Greek or farmhouse)
- 1 cup of cold water (you can also add an ice cube)
- A pinch of salt (preferably sea or Himalayan)
Instructions:
- Put the yogurt in a blender or a large bowl.
- Add water and salt.
- Mix or blend thoroughly until you get a smooth, slightly frothy liquid.
- Serve chilled, optionally garnished with a mint leaf or cucumber slices.
You can flavor ayran according to taste – for example, with a bit of crushed mint, garlic, or ground cumin if you like more pronounced flavor combinations. In Central Asia, dried mint or even cucumber juice is sometimes added. But the base always remains the same – yogurt, water, salt.
Where to Buy Ayran if You Don't Want to Make It at Home?
Although homemade ayran is easy to prepare, many people look for options they can simply buy in stores. Fortunately, ayran can now be easily found in Czech stores – especially those offering international foods or healthy nutrition products. You can also find it in some supermarkets (e.g., Lidl, Albert, Kaufland) or specialized stores with Turkish and Balkan foods.
Ayran is most commonly sold in plastic cups or bottles, usually in volumes from 250 ml to 1 liter. When choosing, it is worth checking the composition – quality ayran should only contain yogurt, water, and salt, possibly a probiotic culture. Avoid products with added sugar, starch, or preservatives. In some cases, ayran may be pasteurized, which extends its shelf life but slightly alters the taste.
Environmentally friendly e-shops, like Ferwer, often offer vegan alternatives to traditional dairy products. And although classic ayran is based on animal yogurt, it is not excluded that we will soon see a plant-based version – based, for example, on coconut or soy yogurt. People already prepare ayran from almond yogurt at home, and although the taste is not entirely identical, the result can be very refreshing.
Ayran in Daily Life – More Than Just a Drink
Besides being a great summer refreshment, ayran has other advantages that are useful in daily life. It can serve as a light snack that satiates without feeling heavy. Thanks to its protein and probiotic content, it is also suitable for people who strive to eat healthily, lose weight, or maintain healthy digestion.
For example, Mrs. Hana from Plzeň, who tries to limit her sugar and gluten intake, started making homemade ayran for dinner instead of classic kefir or vegetable soup. "I found that it fills me up but doesn't weigh down my stomach. And when I salt it and add a bit of mint, I like it more than any yogurt drink from the store," she says.
Ayran can also be used in cooking – for example, as a base for sauces or as a marinade for meat or vegetables. Thanks to the acidity of yogurt, it helps soften ingredients and adds a gentle flavor. In some cuisines, cold soups are made from ayran – for instance, Bulgarian tarator, a combination of yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, and water.
As the famous French chef Auguste Escoffier said: "Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness." And ayran, though simple, can be just such a small foundation – light, refreshing, and honest.
Maybe it's no coincidence that ayran is enjoying growing popularity in a time when people are more mindful of what they eat and drink. In simplicity, there is beauty, and in ayran, strength – try it, and you might fall in love with it just like millions of people around the world.
