Sana milk drink: brands and where to find it
Sana here means the Romanian fermented milk drink. It is mainly sold in Romania, and we could verify only one brand, Artesana, which sells a goat milk sana in 350 ml glass bottles. Outside Romania, look in Romanian or Eastern European grocery shops, or use yogurt or kefir as a substitute.
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In this article
What is sana?
Sana is a fermented milk drink from Romania, similar to kefir, buttermilk or soured milk but slightly sweeter. Traditionally it is made from milk that has not been pasteurized. It usually has at least 3.6 percent fat. It is also used in baking. The name is shared with unrelated products, so search for sana dairy or sana lapte.
Which brands of sana are there?
We did not find a broad list we could check, so we do not name a top brand. One verifiable example is Artesana, which sells a goat milk sana in Romania. Its listing at one Romanian online shop (sezamo.ro) shows:
| Detail | Listing says |
|---|---|
| Size | 350 ml glass bottle |
| Milk | Whole goat milk, not homogenized, low-temperature pasteurized |
| Ingredients | Goat milk and lactic cultures |
| Fat | At least 3 percent, varies by batch |
| Storage | Refrigerated, 2 to 6 degrees C |
| Allergen | Milk |
We could not verify other brands, so check labels in your local store.
Where can you find sana?
- Supermarkets and local dairies in Romania, where it is part of the traditional diet.
- Romanian or Eastern European grocery shops abroad.
- Online stores that ship cultured dairy, if the product is allowed to travel in your country.
It is a chilled product, so it rarely travels well.
What should the label say?
- Fermented milk or sana, with the milk type (cow, goat or sheep).
- Fat percentage; traditional sana is at least 3.6 percent.
- Live lactic cultures and no added milk powder or protein, if you want a traditional product.
- A refrigeration instruction and a use-by date.
What can you use instead of sana?
Plain full-fat yogurt, kefir or soured milk are the closest substitutes. Allow for a slightly more sour taste.
People also ask
Is sana a brand of skincare or software?
Not in this article. Sana as a dairy product is Romanian; other products share the name.
Where can I buy sana?
In Romania, supermarkets and dairies. Elsewhere, try Romanian or Eastern European grocery shops.
What can I use instead of sana?
Full-fat plain yogurt, kefir or soured milk.
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