Matsun: what kind of drink is it, what is useful and harmful, how to prepare it?
Very often among fermented milk products you can find a drink such as matsun or matsoni. This product comes from Armenia. Matsun is very healthy, you can cook it yourself at home.
What it is?
Armenian matsun, or as it is also called matsoni, is a drink that has a unique sour-milk taste with a slight bitterness. The drink is made from cow or goat milk. Often you can find a product made from sheep or buffalo milk. Some housewives in Armenia use several types of milk at once to prepare this fermented milk product. Matsun is a healthy drink that perfectly refreshes and quenches thirst. The history of this product is deeply rooted in history.
Today, this fermented milk product is widely distributed not only in Armenia, but also in Georgia, the Caucasus and many countries of the Middle East.
Benefit
Any dairy product is fraught with great benefits. Matsun is no exception to this rule. First of all, the benefit of this drink is that it has a positive effect on digestion, the functioning of the stomach and intestines. This fermented milk product helps to normalize the intestinal microflora, improving its functioning and helping to get rid of heaviness in the stomach and constipation. Regular consumption of such a drink leads to an improvement in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Matsun helps not only to normalize the intestinal microflora, but also contributes to its enrichment with beneficial substances and bacteria. In addition, matsun normalizes metabolism, speeds up metabolism and normalizes carbohydrate metabolism, so this product can be included in your diet for those who follow a healthy diet.
This popular product helps to reduce bad cholesterol in the blood and is an excellent prophylactic against atherosclerosis, hypertension and thrombosis. In addition, this product is rich in various antioxidants, which can improve the condition of the skin, hair and nails. As well as regular consumption of the drink helps prevent the first signs of aging and rejuvenate the body. Matsun is also used as the main ingredient for all kinds of face and hair masks. This product has nourishing and regenerating properties. In the event of a burn or overheating in the sun, matsun is able to quickly heal the wound and restore the skin cover, giving it a renewed and healthy look.
Due to the fact that matsun contains a large number of various vitamins and elements, it has a positive effect on the general condition of the body, helping to restore tone and strengthen the immune system. Regular use of such a product helps to fill the deficiency of calcium, magnesium and potassium in the body. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are recommended to use this product in order to improve the health of the baby. Athletes note the special benefits of this fermented milk drink.
Due to its beneficial properties, matsun helps to build muscle mass without any problems and activates numerous processes in the body.
Harm
This drink can harm someone who suffers from diarrhea.Such a side effect is possible if the drink is abused. In particular, the dosage should be observed by those who get acquainted with a product such as matsun. It must be remembered that the daily norm of such a fermented milk drink is no more than half a liter per day for an adult. You can not use this drink for those who suffer from ulcers, gastritis, high acidity and pancreatitis.
In addition, it is not recommended to use matsun for those who have cholelithiasis. It is also not recommended to introduce this drink into the diet of children under two years of age. You can not use a fermented milk product in case of an allergic reaction or in case of individual intolerance.
How to cook at home?
At home, it is quite possible to prepare this healthy fermented milk product. The main thing is to know a proven recipe. To prepare this drink at home, you need to purchase ready-made matsun or have ready-made sourdough, which is most often sold in pharmacies or specialized departments of some stores. Many people bring the finished product from Armenia or Georgia, and then they cook matsun at home on their own. From such an Armenian or Georgian product, the drink will turn out not only the most correct, but also very tasty.
You should take one liter of natural boiled milk. It must be cooled to a temperature of +50 degrees. For this amount of milk, two teaspoons of sourdough will be enough. After mixing the mixture thoroughly, it should be placed in a yogurt maker or in a slow cooker (if the machine has a yogurt preparation mode). Literally in 5-6 hours, a fresh Armenian drink will be ready.
In the event that the house does not have any of the above devices, then matsun can still be cooked.It will be enough to carefully wrap the container with the prepared mixture and keep it in a warm place for eight hours. After the container should be placed in the refrigerator.
When rearranging it, you need to remember that it cannot be shaken or mixed, otherwise it will turn out to be the wrong consistency.
After the container has been in the refrigerator for five hours, the matsun will be ready.
If there is no real matsun or sourdough in the house, then it is quite possible to use natural yogurt. In order to prepare a fermented milk product that will resemble matsun in taste and benefits, it is recommended to use natural Greek or Bulgarian yogurt. In this case, two teaspoons per liter of natural milk will also suffice. Such a ready-made fermented milk product as matsun can be consumed on its own, or you can use it as an original dressing for fresh salads. This product goes well with garlic, basil, coriander, parsley and dill.
If you mix this fermented milk drink with herbs, it will be a great addition to meat dishes. For example, to dolma, khinkali or barbecue. And also on the basis of matsun you can cook delicious okroshka. Based on this drink, dough for homemade bread is kneaded.
Matsun may well replace the usual yogurt and can be eaten for breakfast along with muesli, cereal and berries.
You will learn more about how to cook matsun in the following video.