Refreshing drink with yoghurt.
Name - Origin
Αϊράνι.
Watered sour milk, to which spearmint and salt are added (Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, vol. 1, entry αϊράνι,το, 279; PetrouPoeitou 2013, entry Αϊράνι, 22).
ETYM. < Turkish ayran [buttermilk] (Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, vol. 1, entry αϊράνι,το; Petrou-Poeitou 2013, entry Αϊράνι, 22)
It is prepared with 6 parts yoghurt and 4 parts brine. Usually spearmint leaves are added. Served chilled. (Economides 2004, 91)
Additional information and bibliography
It was sold ice cold in summer on the streets by street vendors until the mid-20th century. It is now available in supermarkets and grocery stores (Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, entry 279).
Petrou-Poeitou E. (2013), Where do they come from. Words and stories from the world of taste, Epiphaniou Publications, Nicosia.
Economides S. (2004), Milk and dairy products of Cyprus with special reference to halloumi cheese, Cyprus Dairy Industry Organisation, Nicosia.
Pavlides A. (ed.) (1984), Great Encyclopedia of Cyprus, vol. 1, Filokypros, Nicosia.
Kyriaki Panteli, Argyro Xenophontos, Tonia Ioakim
Foods
Yaourtin, gala oxinon - Yoghurt
In the districts of Limassol and Paphos it was called galan oxinon (sour milk). In the city and district of Nicosia and in the other parts of the island, it was called yoghurt. 'Galan tis tsoukkas'…