An Unlikely Duo: Ayran and Baklava

Once you realize that there are so many different aspects to food that we eat, you will want to try all the contrasting flavors for sure. In the case of Turkey, one of these jarring flavors is the duo of ayran and baklava. Let’s see how they actually leave a great taste in your mouth.

What are Ayran and Baklava?

We should first explain what this famous duo holds in substance without going further into detail. Ayran is a common beverage basically made out of plain yogurt, salt, and water. It is usually consumed with meals and dinners such as kebab or just a portion of pasta.

While it is a regular part of almost every meal in Turkey, ayran has a long history as well. It is known to be invented by Gokturks around 552-745 after incidentally putting water into yogurt to reduce acidity. There are usually two types of ayran; the first one is churn buttermilk type which is very foamy after it is repeatedly shaken in the wooden churn. Another one is known as “Susurluk,” which is a place in the city of Balikesir where ayran is made more technically and by modern type machines.

Although baklava needs no introduction, it is worth mentioning the effort that is put into the making. There are so many types of baklava in Turkey that some may find confusing, yet they all require particular skills to make the baklava dough. The dough should be made in a room with low temperatures to have the desired consistency of each layer. The syrup that is poured into the baked baklava must be pretty hot to make its way into every layer in the tray.

Why are Ayran and Baklava Consumed Together?

Some may think this is a joke people do about eating these together, but we can say it is true that they go pretty well together, and nutritionists also recommend it.

Since baklava may contain a high sugar level, it can cause an increase in blood sugar, especially during holiday celebrations. That is why ayran is served during or after a portion of baklava offered to guests. Ayran helps reduce the high blood sugar caused by baklava by balancing the absorption of sugar in the blood. This healthy tradition is highly adopted by people of all ages around the country. If you do not want to mix salty and sweet at the same time, you can prefer drinking ayran after baklava. We recommend you give it a try without any hesitation!