Fresh Susurluk Ayranı with a head of froth.

Ayran or laban is a cold beverage of yogurt mixed with cold water and sometimes salt; it is popular in many Central Asian, Middle Eastern and South-eastern European countries.^[1]

Similar and possibly related beverages include the South Asian lassi and the Afghan doogh.

Name[link]

The name 'ayran' is used in Turkish and Arabic.^[2]

Pouring Susurluk Ayranı at a Turkish boutique in Istanbul

• In Macedonian, it is called Ayran (Ајран)
• In Albanian it is called Dhallë,^[3]
• In Arabic, it is called Leben 'ayrân (لبن عيران)
• In Neo-Aramaic, it is called "dawghe"
• In Armenian, the same^{[citation needed]} drink is called Թան (T'an)
• In Bulgarian, it is known as Ayryan or Ayran (Aйрян, Айран)^[4]
• In Greek, Ariani (Aριάνι),^[5] or Xinogala (Ξυνόγαλα") (lit. "sour milk")
• In Kurdish, the same drink, is called Dew or Do (depending on dialect)
• In Iraqi Arabic, the same drink is called Shinēna.
• In Dari, the same drink, sometimes served carbonated, is called Dûğ/Doogh (دوغ)

History[link]

According to Turkish sources, ayran was developed by the Göktürks.^[6][7] According to Persian sources, ayran (doogh) dates to ancient Persia.^[8]

Consumption & variations[link]

Turkey[link]

Consumption[link]

Turkey is the biggest producer of ayran in the world,^[9][10] and has researched the subject extensively.^[11] In Turkey, ayran is often regarded as a separate category from other soft drinks.

International fast-food companies in Turkey, such as McDonald's and Burger King, include ayran on their menu.

In rural areas of Turkey, ayran is offered as a "standard" drink to guests.

Ayran is usually served chilled, and is a common accompaniment to any form of grilled meat, pastry, or rice.

Mainstream variations[link]

• Susurluk ayranı - A very frothy kind of ayran, quite popular in Northwestern Turkey
• Yayık ayranı - An ayran that is hand stirred in big horizontal wooden churns. Thick, with close to no froth.
• Ekşili ayran - A sour variety, made out of strained yoghurt that carries a sour, smoky taste, especially if made from ewe's milk. Very popular in the Southeastern provinces.

Staple materials[link]

• In Western Turkey, ayran is usually made with cow milk.
• In Central Anatolia and along the Mediterranean coast, it is mostly made with ewe, and sometimes goat, milk.
• In the Black Sea Region, it is universally made of cow's milk.
• In the Eastern and Southeastern provinces, ewe's milk will dominate.

Albania[link]

In Albania Ayran is called Dhallë. It is made from cow yoghurt mixed with water and is served salted and cold. You can buy it in the market, fast-food chains, Byrektore (A shop where Byrek is made). It is very popular in summer.

Middle East[link]

Ayran also enjoys considerable popularity in the Middle East, where it remains widely available on the market. Leben 'ayrân is mostly made out of strained yoghurt and has a sourer taste than the mainstream Turkish Ayran

Bulgaria[link]

Ayran is commonly consumed with fast food, such as Banitsa from street vendors. McDonald's and Subway include ayran in their menu.^[12] The Bulgarian Ayran is typically not salted.

Afghanistan[link]

In the Persian speaking world, ayran, named "Dûğ / دوغ" is often drunk in a carbonated form. In rural Afghanistan, one will often be offered dûğ that is a lightly seasoned with different spices, such as cucumber or mint.

Pakistan[link]

The Afghan refugees have introduced this beverage in Pakistan. As in Afghanistan. it is known as Doogh "Dûğ / دوغ".

See also[link]

Similar beverages:

• Cacık
• Chal
• Chalap
• Lassi

References[link]

Tolga Çevik
Born	(1974-05-12) 12 May 1974 (age 38) Istanbul, Turkey
Occupation	comedian
Spouse	Özge Çevik, neé Yılmaz
Website
http://www.tolgacevik.com/

Tolga Çevik (born May 12, 1974, Istanbul) is a Turkish actor and comedian.

He studied theatre at Central Missouri State University in the USA.

He is married to Özge Yılmaz, sister of the comedian Cem Yılmaz. They have a daughter Tuna and a son Tan together.

Theatre work[link]

• Bana Bir Şeyhler Oluyor
• Sen Beni Sevmiyorsun ! - Edi
• Kalbin Sesi - Bob
• Kelebekler Özgürdür
• Kelebekler Özgürdür - Can
• Küheylan - Alan Strang^[1]

Filmography[link]

• 2000 - Herkes Kendi Evinde - Selim
• 2000 - Vizontele - Nazif
• 2003 - Vizontele Tuuba - Nafız
• 2004 - Hızlı Adımlar
• 2004 - Sevinçli Haller
• 2005 - Organize İşler - Süpermen Samet
• 2012 - Sen Kimsin?

TV miniseries[link]

• 1996 - Feride - Ali
• 1998 - Salacak Öyküleri
• 2002 - Aşk ve Gurur - Savaş Timur
• 2003 - Esir Şehrin İnsanları
• 2003 - Ölümsüz Aşk - Tahsin
• 2004 - Dişi Kuş - İskender
• 2004 - Avrupa Yakası - Sacit Kıral
• 2004 - Herşey Yolunda - Başar
• 2007 - Komedi Dükkanı^[2]

External links[link]

• Turkish Official site
• Tolga Cevik at the Internet Movie Database

References[link]