What is doogh?
As the most unique drink in Iran served with foods in traditional restaurants and people’s houses. Doogh is a dairy based liquid, made from mixing sourer yogurt, water, herbal essences and salt. This combination makes it an ideal light counter balance to a high-carb meal. This yogurt-based beverage is very popular in Iran, Turkey, Iraq, Bulgaria, Jordan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and pretty much all over the Middle East and central Asia area.
What is the history of doogh?at
The use of milk products dates back to 1300 BC. This kind of milk fermented production began in the Middle East and in time spreads throughout Central and Eastern Europe. It’s interesting to know that there have been different types of fermented milk products in different regions and periods of time. These milk-based products played a major role in human health and having a long life. Therefore, it is considered to be a healthy food in the public’s mind.The Traditional Iranian Doogh is actually in the category of dairy drinks. Doogh in Iran was originally one of the sub products of butter. High fat yogurt was mixed with water, then its fat would be separated (by shaking it in animal skin), and the remaining was consumed as Doogh.
How popular is doogh?
atAlthough unusual, for foreigners this drink is simple and satisfying. Ask any Iranian eating kabab what they want to drink with their food and the answer will always be doogh. You will find it in any restaurant or super market inside their fridge right next to the yogurt. So, any time you are in Iran try it. It’s something different, and compared to the other drinks, it’s very healthy for you. The yogurt inside the doogh is high in protein, calcium, vitamins, and live culture, or probiotics, which can enhance the gut microbiota. It can offer protection for bones and teeth and help prevent digestive problems.
How to prepare doogh?
at1.First you add yogurt. Then you add the same volume of water. It can be still or sparkling.
2.The next stage is adding salt. This depends completely on how much sour your yogurt is because salt cancels the sourness of the doogh.
3.Then you add mint. Some people like to add different herbs to the doogh. It can be fresh or dry.
4. Just before serving, you add the ice to cool the drink down, or you could just keep it in the fridge for a couple of hours before serving.
In the old days, doogh was traditionally left at room temperature for a few days to allow the bacteria to develop and naturally gasify the drink. But nowadays to speed things up people use sparkling water.
Only a professional doogh drinker can identify between the
old traditional homemade kind of doogh, or the industrial kind which is made
today.