Appears in
Oxford Companion to Food

By Alan Davidson

Published 2014

  • About

ayran (also eyran, airan) is a Turkish and Arabic name (it is also known as laban) for a refreshing yoghurt drink prepared in the Middle East, especially during hot, dry summer months. Yoghurt is mixed with water and thoroughly blended, then seasoned with salt and either freshly chopped mint or dried crushed mint. Finely chopped cucumber is sometimes added. In Iran and Afghanistan a similar drink is made, called abdugh and dogh respectively.

Other yoghurt drinks made in India include lassi and mattha (literally, buttermilk); chaach is yet another, sweetened and flavoured with lemon, mint, and ginger.