DOOGH

Doogh (Persian: دوغ‎‎, Azerbaijani: doogh, Armenian: Թան tan, Iraqi: شنينة shinēna) is a savory yogurt-based beverage popular in Iran, Azerbaijan,Afghanistan,Armenia, Iraq, and Syria. It is sometimes carbonated and seasoned with mint.Outside Iran and Azerbaijan, it is known by different names.

Doogh is described as being either the same as or very similar to the Turkishbeverage ayran.

History
Doogh has long been a popular drink and was consumed in ancient Persia. Described by an 1886 source as a cold drink of curdled milk and water seasoned with mint, its name derives from the Persian word for milking, dooshidan.By 2009 it was being referred to as a "minted yogurt drink".

Variations
Salt (and sometimes pepper) is added, and commonly dried mint or pennyroyal is mixed in as well. One variation includes diced cucumbers to provide a crunchy texture to the beverage. Some varieties of doogh lack carbonation.

Sekahnjebin (Vinegar-Mint Summer Drink)

Iranians are renowned for their hospitality. If you visit an Iranian house on a hot summer day, you will most likely be served a cold sugary drink (sharbat) of some variety (sour cherry, key lime, quince, etc). You might not think that you need a sharbat but after taking a few sips you will realize that it hit the spot and that is exactly what you needed coming in from the heat.

One such summer drink is sharbat Sekahnjebin (or serkeh-angabin, literally translated "vinegar syrup"). The prepared syrup in poured into a tall glass, topped with ice water and grated cucumbers, and garnished with fresh mint.

Sekhanjebin syrup is also used as a dip for young leaves of romaine lettuce for nibbling at backyard parties and picnics.

I like to cut my grapefruit in half, drizzle it with this syrup, and eat it with a grapefruit spoon.

Persian Tea

 Any Persian will tell you that they love to drink Chai, pronounced Cha-ee.  Tea, in general, is what Persians drink in the morning, after each meal, and not to mention throughout the day.  Additionally, the first drink that one if offered when visiting someone else’s home is usually tea.  Iranians make tea in their own way which I will demonstrate in this post.

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