Yogurt Soda – A Magical Drink From Central Asia

What can be more refreshing on a hot summer day than an ice-cold drink or beverage? Yogurt soda may be one of the numerous sodas available in the world, along with the majority of other brands you are likely familiar with. However, it tastes like nothing else. It is a pleasant beverage prepared with yogurt, salt, water, and mint. For the finest flavor, it is served cold. 

The taste of yogurt soda is so specific that people either adore it or hate it. However, you should definitely give it a try. Who knows? Maybe it will become your favorite drink of all. Below, we will explore a brief history of yogurt soda and discuss some of the interesting facts about it. 

Geographical Overview

Yogurt sodas are also known as Doogh in Persia, Shinna in Iraq, and Ayran in Turkey. However, it can be called numerous names outside of those countries. Other names also include Tan and Dhalle. The main ingredient of this particular drink is an all-time favorite yogurt.  It is extremely common and loved in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Pakistan, and Iran. Some versions of this delicious drink are carbonated.

Now, let’s focus on Doogh, a popular name derived from the Persian term “dooshidan,”  which means “milk.” Well, it definitely sounds like the best and most suitable name for a drink that is based on milk. Additionally, several drinks comparable to these have developed in neighboring nations. However, there are a few differences that appear to set them apart from yogurt soda.

Brief History

Believe it or not, people have been consuming Ayran (yogurt soda), a beverage from Central Asia, since 1000 BC. Ayran is so well-liked in Turkey that it actually competes with famous drinks like Coca-Cola, and large fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s and Burger King have started serving it.

Tan, a beverage with qualities resembling those of Ayran, is popular in Armenia. It is said that in the distant past, only mountain dwellers were privy to the techniques for a tan drink, and they were exceedingly protective of their expertise.

According to folklore, in Russia doctors started to take an interest in Caucasian people’s longevity around the middle of the 19th century. They thought that TAN has qualities that may treat a variety of stomach and intestinal issues. Because the Armenian mountain inhabitants would not share their recipe, it was impossible to get started. The village elders really issued a warning to the young dzhigits that the entire miraculous starter would be destroyed if they distributed even a little portion of it.

However, a stunning Russian woman learned the starter’s secret because an Armenian prince was drawn to her attractiveness. He didn’t give her half his country when he proposed. Instead, he presented her with 40 pounds of tanning lotion. The beverage eventually made its way to Russia and is now popular throughout Europe, including in Estonia. Yogurt soda is produced in the tiny village of Kose in the county of Harju rather than imported.

Folklore informs us of the advantages of yogurt soda for human health. Caucasian people drank the beverage as a rapid hangover remedy as well as to balance the salt and water levels in their bodies.

What Does Yogurt Soda Consist Of?

Yogurt soda is produced by blending yogurt with iced or cold water, and it’s occasionally carbonated and mint-seasoned. The term to describe this process is “diluting yogurt.” The drink is traditionally made by the different Iranian ethnic groups straight from milk, without yogurt, and with the use of a waterskin known as a mashk. The waterskin is then shaken for hours. Occasionally, a wooden structure with woolen threads is used to keep the waterskin above ground to facilitate the process.

In the Afghan variation, it contains yogurt, salt, mint, cucumber cubes, and lime, and is occasionally carbonated. It is eaten during picnics, accompanied by bolani, an Afghan flatbread.

Typically, dried mint is used to flavor yogurt soda. However, the flavor combination of rose and mint is also very delicious. In fact, people who aren’t used to the thought of a savory yogurt drink may find these sweet tastes appealing. The combination of mint and cucumber with yogurt soda is especially popular in Afghan cuisine.

Ingredients

• Milk
• Carbonated Water
• Yogurt Culture
• Salt
• Mint Extract

Nutrition

Serving Size:	8 fl oz	% Daily Value*
Amount Per Serving
Calories	83
Calories from Fat	18
Total Fat	2g	3%
Saturated Fat	2g	10%
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	12mg	4%
Sodium	446mg	19%
Total Carbohydrates	9g	3%
Dietary Fiber	0g	0%
Sugars	9g
Protein	6g
Vitamin A		0%
Vitamin C		1%
Calcium		10%
Iron		0%

• Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet.

Types Of Yogurt Drinks

Originating in Iran, yogurt soda was popular in ancient Persia. Yogurt drinks come in two varieties: 

• Carbonated yogurt drinks — particularly popular among Iranians and Afghans.
• Non-carbonated yogurt drinks — also quite popular throughout the Arab world, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Mediterranean nations. 

Famous yogurt soda manufacturer brands Upstarts like Maple Hill, Ronnybrook, and Früzinga are present alongside household names like Yakult Honsha, Danone, and Grupo Lala. In 2017, General Mills will introduce a brand of drinkable yogurt in an effort to appeal to Hispanic consumers, some of whom have already become used to the sugary yogurt drinks available in Mexico. Yogurt soda, while still a small portion of the overall US yogurt industry, saw the strongest growth in 2015.

What Does Yogurt Soda Taste Like?

Now, you might not be familiar with this beverage and be curious as to what on earth it tastes like. If you’ve never had yogurt soda, we can attest to the fact that it has a distinct flavor.

Its flavor is the fermentation of the yogurt, a punch of acid, and a rather powerful carbonated beverage. Because of this, it is quite potent, and the yogurt has a more tartar-like texture than usual. When you first taste the flavor profile, there are two clearly different layers to it. 

The fermented yogurt does not really taste nice, as it separates to the bottom, leaving the water on top as the top layer. The yogurt has a flavor that is somewhat reminiscent of carbonated buttermilk. The taste of the top-layer liquid is comparable to a commercial digestive drink. Yogurt soda is undoubtedly a beverage that takes some getting used to. Some people will adore it, while others won’t, much like Marmite in the UK. But if you get the opportunity to try it, you should.

If you’ve tried it but didn’t think you would enjoy it, you might be interested in some of the uses for this drink.

Other Uses For Yogurt Soda

Yogurt soda is most commonly used as a cool summertime beverage. People drink this beverage to reap some of the health benefits it is said to provide, even though it also has certain other applications. Considering that it can make you sleepy, some individuals may also take it as a treatment for insomnia.

A molecule called tryptophan is what causes dairy products, especially yogurt, to make you feel sleepy. The body transforms the amino acid into serotonin, a hormone that induces sleep. People who have trouble falling asleep at night are treated with serotonin. Melatonin, a hormone the body naturally produces at night, is created when serotonin is broken down.

However, yogurt soda’s primary usage appears to be as a summertime water substitute. because yogurt contains vitamins and minerals that help promote hydration. It is good for those who drink it regularly as a beverage.

Health Benefits Of Yogurt Soda

If you routinely consume yogurt soda, you may be aware of its potential health advantages. It turns out that yogurt soda comes with a bouquet of health advantages. High-quality proteins,  vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B12, and potassium may all be found in yogurt. All of these are crucial for both gut health and overall health.

Additionally, yogurt is a wonderful source of gut-healthy bacteria. There are several digestive issues that these probiotics can help with, including constipation, IBS, diarrhea, bloating, and lactose intolerance. 

By putting beneficial bacteria into your system, these probiotics can assist in controlling the amount of gas your body generates. Other health advantages include supporting weight management, enhancing the immune system, and possibly contributing to the fight against cancer.

Regular intake may also help your body absorb more vitamins and minerals from your food. Yogurt soda is also a good source of calcium. Calcium is important for bones and teeth since it helps with their maintenance and development. In addition to supporting bones, calcium prevents blood clots, regulates blood pressure, and promotes proper wound healing.

Researchers discovered that vitamin D-fortified yogurt drinks reduced inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetics. Yogurt eating, as previously discussed, is crucial if you have this illness. Because yogurt contains less lactose than milk, people who have lactose intolerance can consume it. The deficiency of calcium in lactose-intolerant people’s diets is a typical complaint that this magical drink can cure. After drinking yogurt, people frequently report having little to no symptoms, including bloating or gas. 

Bottom Line

Yogurt soda is a cool and intriguing beverage. It is manufactured in numerous nations, as I said in the paragraph above. All of the Middle Eastern nations and a few of the European nations exhibit a similar variance. Lassi from India is the only variant that the majority of people could be familiar with. 

If you ever get the chance to sample yogurt soda, whether domestically or abroad, you really should. It’s a really healthy beverage that’s quite well-liked in several regions of the world.

This drink is full of health benefits. Therefore, it is absolutely worth trying. Keep in mind that if you have trouble falling asleep at night or are dealing with gut problems, you should definitely try yogurt soda.