What is sana and how is it made?
Sana is a Romanian fermented milk, similar to yogurt but thicker and slightly sweeter, with at least 3.6 percent fat. Traditionally it is made by letting whole milk ferment, then skimming the cream and using it to thicken more milk.
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What is sana?
Sana is a fermented milk product from Romania. It is described as similar to yogurt but sweeter in taste, thicker and denser, with a fat content of at least 3.6 percent. It is sold in most Romanian shops.
How is sana made?
Traditional sana comes from acid fermentation of whole milk. Bacteria make the milk more acidic, which makes its proteins clump and thicken. Authentic sana is said to need fresh whole farm milk, while store-bought sana is made from pasteurized milk.
A home method described by one source:
- Heat strained milk gently, add a little salt, then let it cool.
- Cover half of the milk and leave it at room temperature for up to a day, until a layer of thick cream forms on top.
- Skim off the cream and keep it. Whisk the remaining milk; this is lapte batut, which can be eaten like yogurt.
- Refrigerate the other half. Warm it slightly, stir in a few tablespoons of the reserved cream, let it thicken at room temperature, then whisk.
Home methods differ from cook to cook. If you use raw milk, there is a food-safety risk, so pasteurized milk and a plain live-culture yogurt as the starter is the safer route.
How does sana compare?
| Product | Character |
|---|---|
| Sana | Thick, dense, slightly sweet, at least 3.6% fat |
| Lapte batut | Whisked thinner version, eaten like yogurt |
| Plain yogurt | Tangier, varies in fat |
What can I use instead?
Full-fat plain yogurt, or a mix of plain yogurt and a little sour cream, is the closest substitute. Check the label for added sugar and live cultures.
People also ask
What is sana?
A Romanian fermented milk, thicker and slightly sweeter than yogurt, with at least 3.6 percent fat.
What is lapte batut?
The whisked, thinner milk left after skimming cream in the home method; it can be eaten like yogurt.
Can I buy sana outside Romania?
Rarely. Full-fat plain yogurt is a reasonable substitute.
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