Fermented Milk Products from All Over the World. Kiselo mlyako (Bulgarian Yogurt)
If you thought that yogurt is the same thing around the world, you’ll have to think again because the Bulgarians managed to create a recipe for yogurt that is their own. This recipe was perfected over the centuries it was made and consumed, the same rules being respected nowadays as well. We may call it yogurt, but in Bulgaria, the product is known more as sour milk. It doesn’t matter how it is called because it will same the same unmistakable taste, many believing that this recipe is 4000 years old, kiselo mlyako still being made in the same way today.
What makes Bulgarian yogurt authentic Bulgarian yogurt. Well, the secret lies in the live bacteria that are used for the making of this dairy product. This type of yogurt is made with only two types of bacteria, which are the Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus, commonly known as Lactobacillus Bulgaricus native to Bulgaria and found naturally only there, and Streptococcus salivarius subspecies thermophiles. Most of the kiselo mlyako has just two bacteria because they are excellent for starting the fermentation process of the milk, but this doesn’t mean that other good bacteria can’t be found in this yogurt as well. Homemade kiselo mlyako can have other bacteria as well, which are also considered benefic for the digestive system. But, the two previously mentioned bacteria are responsible for the specific consistency, acidity, and flavor of kiselo mlyako. Believe it or not, but it counts which of these two bacteria go in first. Streptococcus Thermophilus is introduced in the milk first, as it creates the ideal environment for Lactobacillus Bulgaricus to thrive. The later will do its job in transforming the milk into a thick and delicious yogurt, by multiplying favored by the cozy environment. The people that tried Bulgarian yogurt stated that no other yogurt found out in the world compares with the taste of kiselo mlyako. Bulgarians appreciate their yogurt greatly and consume hundreds of tons every year.
The fact that kiselo mlyako contains live bacteria is considered to be extremely benefic not just for the digestive system, but also for general health. Considering that many Bulgarians lived to see the age of 100 years old, or even more, is attributed to their constant consumption of probiotics. The good bacteria in their traditional yogurt are the probiotics we are talking about. Having these bacteria in our intestines boosts the immune system and keeps infections at bay. It is known that a healthy digestive system is essential for a healthy body. Thus, yogurt is good to consume by people with lactose intolerance, as yogurt no longer contains lactose, as it was disintegrated by bacteria during the fermentation process. It also fights against diarrhea and constipation, by maintaining a healthy intestinal flora. In diminishes, the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease protects against colon cancer, and it is believed to prevent osteoporosis, due to its high levels of calcium. So consuming yogurt with regularity is a great thing you can do for your health.
