What is ayryan?

What is ayryan (ayran)?

The word people search for as ayryan is normally ayran, a cold drink made from yogurt, water and salt. The yogurt maker Yayla describes it as a traditional drink of Turkish cuisine and calls it Turkey’s national drink. It is served cold with meals. Pages that describe ayryan as a spiritual movement or an ancient language are confusing it with other words, and we found no evidence for them.

What is in ayran?

• Plain yogurt, the main ingredient.
• Cold water, to thin it into a drink.
• Salt, which gives it a savory, tangy taste.
• Optional: mint, cucumber or basil.

What does it taste like?

Thin, cool, sour and salty, a little like a runny, unsweetened yogurt. It is meant to be refreshing, not sweet. A homemade one gets a layer of foam on top when you whisk it hard.

How is it served?

Cold. Yayla names doner, lahmacun, kofte, borek and spicy dishes as hearty foods to serve it with. It is also sold ready-made in some shops. Stir or shake before drinking, since water and yogurt can separate.

Where does it come from?

The page we opened ties ayran to Turkish cuisine. We did not find a documented first date or a list of other countries, so avoid claims of a precise origin.

Is ayran healthy?

It is a dairy drink made from yogurt, so it contains milk protein and, like all dairy, some lactose. The NIDDK notes that yogurt is lower in lactose than many milk products, and many people with lactose intolerance can handle some. It also contains salt, so check the label if you limit sodium. Anyone with a milk allergy should avoid it.

This is general information, not medical advice.