What is matsoni?

What is matsoni?

Matsoni is a fermented milk product from the Caucasus. According to a news report on its naming dispute, it is made from cow, buffalo or goat milk, and occasionally from sheep milk or a mix. In Georgia it is fed to infants and used in khachapuri dough and in various soups.

Is matsoni yogurt?

It is often translated as yogurt. In practice it is a yogurt-like fermented milk. I found no authoritative description of its exact texture or cultures, and traditional versions vary by starter and milk.

Where does the name come from?

• In Armenian, matsun means sour milk, according to a dictionary cited by a Georgian historian in the news report.
• The report presents the argument that the word entered Georgian from Armenian; the origin is disputed.

Georgia registered matsoni as a geographical indication in late January 2012, protected by agreements with the EU, Ukraine, Great Britain and Switzerland. In the dispute, Georgia reportedly denied passage to an Armenian trailer carrying the product, and the Armenian exporter relabeled its product for Russia as Armenian Mountain Yogurt.

How is it eaten?

• Fed to infants in Georgia.
• In various Georgian soups.
• As an ingredient in khachapuri dough.

Where to buy it and what to check

Availability outside the region is limited. Plain whole-milk yogurt is the nearest widely sold match. Read the label for fat, added sugar and live cultures.

A caution on health claims

You will find claims that matsoni causes longevity. Those are not established by the sources I read. Treat it as a tasty fermented dairy food. Avoid it with a milk allergy.