Ways to Drink Laban

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Laban — a sweet and tangy taste for your tongue in the form of traditional buttermilk! It is the Middle East’s most favorite beverage consumed all over the year especially during Ramadan for iftar. It is light on the stomach as all the butter is separated from the milk and what’s left is pure heaven!

Laban is not only cooling for the tummy but it serves multiple health benefits from its yogurt content that is an excellent source for calcium, vitamin D, and high-quality protein. It contains good bacteria that help maintain a healthy digestive system, some even say that consuming probiotic laban helps prevent yeast and other bacterial infections. It is also a significant source of nutrients like magnesium, potassium, riboflavin, iodine, zinc, vitamin B12, and B6, and more — reducing the risk of diseases like colon cancer, high blood pressure, diarrhea, and heart diseases.

Laban is a good substitute for milk for those who are lactose intolerant as it is less lactose than milk and can be digested easily. Having laban instead of milk will improve the immune system and is good for bones and helps to achieve soft skin. Next time your child avoids milk, hand them a glass of laban and watch them never get over the profound taste!

Here are some recipes on this go-to cooling drink that can be enjoyed in different ways:

Laban Ayran:

Ayran is one of the most common ways of having laban. The minty flavor refreshes your mind and cools down your body especially during the heat.

Directions

In a blender,

add ice cubes,

pour in laban,

add salt to your taste,

and a few mint leaves.

Blend all together,

pour in a glass and

garnish with mint leaves.

Serve cold.

Mango Lassi:

Summer calls for mangoes and what’s better than a chilled mango lassi to have for breakfast!

Directions

Blend the mango cubes, laban,

sugar, and ice cubes for a

good two minutes.

Exceed laban quantity as per the

texture you like. Pour in a glass,

swoop in an umbrella straw and

serve cold. To have a crunch

while sipping,

add slivered almonds and

cashew nuts, and enjoy!

Berry Laban:

We are “berry” excited for you to try this berry-licious drink!

Directions

Pop in some berries you like

or all the berries, laban,

sugar, and ice cubes —

blend, blend, blend.

Pour into a glass,

garnish with small pieces of

berries and take your

first sip of happiness!

Traditional Jeera (Cumin) Lassi:

Keep in touch with your roots with this simple traditional drink!

Directions

Pour the laban into a glass

and add in some cumin powder,

chili powder, and salt to taste –

Mix them all, and there you have it,

a simple traditional jeera lassi

which can be enjoyed with lunch.

Goes best with a heavy meal

to balance it all out.

You can turn it into a sweet lassi by just adding sugar instead of salt along with cardamom powder instead of cumin and chilli powder and voila!

All these energizing recipes of laban can be enjoyed with a variety of cuisines — pakora, biryani, mandi, kebabs, or simply with rice as raita. One of the interesting ways of having laban is to pair it with chips! Yes, you heard it right. This new trend has been going viral amongst teenagers, give it a try and enjoy!