Ayran is a refreshing drink made from a mixture of yogurt, water, and salt. It can be enjoyed on its own as a thirst-quenching beverage or in combination with traditional Turkish dishes. Turkish meals can often be spicy, and the yogurt-based ayran helps to reduce the spiciness.
It is considered a traditional drink throughout the Middle East and Central Asia and is widely available. It is sold practically everywhere you come across food. Ayran packaging resembles yogurt packaging.
In restaurants, you may also come across freshly prepared ayran. It is made by whipping yogurt into a light and fluffy consistency, to which water and salt are added. The milk foam forms an attractive cap on the cup of ayran.
I like to have fresh ayran at the Istanbul restaurant Gaziantep Közde Künefe Kebap Salonu. Fresh ayran is prepared for you in a metal jug here, costing 10 lira, which is approximately 0.60 EUR.
Ayran is a drink that you should try at least once in Turkey.
Bon appetit!
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