Matsoni: benefits and harms, cooking secrets, useful properties

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Everyone knows about the beneficial qualities of fermented milk products. This applies not only to kefir and cottage cheese, but also to a huge variety of equally tasty products obtained as a result of milk fermentation. The article talks about one of them - matsoni, its benefits and harm to the body.

Drink history

It is known that the first drink was prepared in the Caucasus about 200 years ago. According to historical data, it was obtained quite by accident: one housewife mistakenly strained fresh milk into a container in which curdled milk was previously stored, and forgot it in the heat. After some time, she discovered that the milk turned into a thick, sour drink, which she was very surprised to taste: the product tasted very good.

For a long time, the inhabitants of the Caucasus kept the method of preparing this he althy drink a secret. Currently, it is produced at an industrial level. Matsoni has gained wide popularity in Russia, Europe, and Asia.

Description

Matzoni -fermented milk drink, which is prepared on the basis of cow's, buffalo, goat's, sheep's milk or a mixture thereof. It is fermented milk. It is considered the national Georgian drink. Matsoni means "sour milk" in Georgian. In Armenia, this drink is called matsun. In terms of the composition of the starter, the drink is very similar to yogurt, but at the same time it has a sharper taste and easy gas formation. Please note: matsoni has a very low calorie content: only 63 kcal / 100 g, as well as a low glycemic index - GI - 20.

Fermented milk product: composition

The benefits of matsoni for the body are due to the uniqueness of the vitamin composition of the dairy product. This is primarily due to fermentation. Two unique bacteria are involved in the process - the Bulgarian stick and streptococci. Matsoni contains:

• amino acids and proteins;
• fermented milk organisms;
• vitamins;
• carbs;
• di- and monosaccharides;
• ash;
• micro and macro elements;
• organic acids.

The drink contains about 127 mg of calcium and 153 mg of potassium, which suggests the benefits of yogurt for the heart and bones. It contains about 17 mineral compounds, including chlorine, sodium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, iodine, manganese, etc. In addition, the drink contains almost all B vitamins, as well as vitamins A, C, H, PP and choline.

Cooking Methods

Interestingly, to make a fermented milk drink, you need not onlythe right sourdough, but also good milk. The milk of Abkhazian cows is considered the best raw material, which, according to experts in this matter, differs in taste from the usual one, because the cows of Abkhazia are very mobile and are grazing almost all year round, where they eat only fresh grass. There are several ways to prepare this drink. Let's take a look at some of them.

The first way. You should stock up on one liter of milk and 250-300 ml of yogurt. Milk is heated to a temperature of 45-55 ° C, then cooled to 35-40 ° C. After that, pour in yogurt, close the container, wrap it well with a blanket and leave it in this form for 6-8 hours. After that, the yogurt is completely ready.

The second way. We will need: 2 liters of milk, 200 ml of good thick sour cream, a crust of black bread. We put the milk in a container on the most minimal fire for 2 hours, not forgetting to stir so that it does not burn. Add sour cream to it and mix, after which we add black bread to it. We leave it in this form for a day, then take out the bread, put the matsoni in the refrigerator.

Even at the beginning of the 20th century, the famous Russian scientist Ilya Mechnikov, thanks to his research, discovered that many centenarians of our country and Asian countries used matsoni in large quantities, which undoubtedly indicates the benefits of matsoni for the human body.

How to store

The duration of storage directly depends on how much whey is present in the product. It is believed that the smaller it is, the longer the matsoni is stored. Product prepared withcompliance with all technological standards, can be stored for several months and remain fresh.

Matsoni: benefits and harms

For women, however, as for men, the role and benefits of the product is quite large and is not in doubt. This fermented milk product is indispensable in dietary and baby food, people leading a he althy lifestyle, athletes and, of course, pregnant women.

1. Due to the fact that it contains a sufficient amount of vitamins, matsoni helps to increase immunity, with regular use of the drink, a person is much less likely to get flu and other colds.
2. The fermented milk product allows tissues and cells to regenerate faster, which helps to rejuvenate the body from the inside.
3. It should be noted that matsoni is a supplier of vitamin D and calcium - an element for the growth and strengthening of teeth, hair, bones, nails.
4. The large amount of lactic bacteria present in the drink improves the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, helps cleanse the body, and significantly reduces the problems of bloating and constipation, which are caused by dysbacteriosis and pathogenic bacteria.
5. It has a drink and a slight diuretic effect, which helps to unload the kidneys and get rid of edema.
6. The drink has a calming effect, helps to cope with stress, get rid of insomnia.
7. The benefit of matsoni lies in the fact that it helps to eliminate toxins and bad cholesterol from the body.
8. Sourdough increases blood circulation, improvesactivity of the liver, kidneys, intestines.
9. The drink is an excellent pain reliever and healer for burns.
10. Due to the content of vitamins A, I, PP, D, magnesium, potassium, and iron in this drink, it has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, heart, bone and nervous systems, reduces cholesterol, levels blood pressure.

Perhaps it is in this we alth that the secret of longevity of the gray-haired aksakals of the Caucasus lies.

Contraindications

Matzoni is a fermented milk product, so experts do not recommend using it for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Especially if they are associated with increased acidity of gastric juice. Please note that for some ailments, the state of he alth when drinking a sour-milk drink may worsen, for example, if you have:

• hepatitis;
• pancreatitis;
• kidney stones;
• ulcer.

However, the listed diseases cannot be a direct ban on the use of matsoni. It is best to seek the advice of a specialist before drinking, who will determine exactly whether this drink can be consumed and in what quantity.

As you know, even the most useful product can be harmful if abused. When consumed in excess, matsoni can disrupt the gastrointestinal tract and cause diarrhea, and therefore it is recommended to consume no more than 500 ml per day.

Effect on the body of athletes

Let's look at the benefitsdrink for people involved in sports. A fermented milk product for sports nutrition will become a sort of lifesaver: if you drink just a couple of glasses of yoghurt a day, the body will receive enough protein to form spectacular and strong relief muscles. It perfectly satisfies hunger and thirst, has an anabolic effect. Regular use of matsoni increases endurance during training, reduces the recovery period after them.

It is believed that almost all fermented milk products, including matsoni, are extremely useful for men over 40 years old. They help maintain and strengthen muscle tone, increase efficiency. The benefits of matsoni for men also lie in the fact that it is an excellent prevention of strokes, heart attacks and prostate adenoma.

Diet food

The drink with dietary properties can be used in various weight loss systems instead of the usual kefir. On the basis of a fermented milk product, various fruit cocktails are prepared, which can replace a full lunch or dinner. For a soft and painless cleansing of the body, you can use the following composition: matsoni with dried apricots, prunes and a handful of nuts. Those in the process of losing weight are encouraged to consume matsoni for the following reasons:

• satisfies hunger;
• calms the nerves;
• breaks down fat cells;
• cleanses the intestines;
• saturates with vitamins;
• strengthens immunity.

However, ifyou didn’t like this drink, choking on it for the sake of losing weight is not a good idea.

Benefits for children and pregnant women

Is this product good for children and pregnant women? This dairy product is not contraindicated for future mothers, it is absorbed much better than milk, and therefore it is recommended for use in its pure form or in combination with berries and fruits. But still, it is not recommended to abuse matsoni, you should not drink more than 500 ml per day.

As for children, it is not recommended to introduce matsoni into their diet before they reach the age of one. It is best to prepare a drink in a blender in combination with fruit.

Use in cooking

The benefits of matsoni are invaluable for the body. Let's take a look at how this product works with other ingredients:

1. It is often used as a dressing for salads and okroshka.
2. It is used to prepare sauces for meat and fish dishes.
3. Matzoni is usually added to the dough.
4. It serves as a base for other dairy products.
5. This is one of the base ingredients for refreshing cold soups.
6. It is used to make khachapuri.

Use in cosmetology

The undoubted benefits of yogurt for women is already in the definition of this drink, given to him in his homeland - "a drink of youth and beauty." It is recommended to use it for washing or removing make-up. In addition, various masks for skin and hair are made on its basis, they are used for body wraps to reduce fat.layer and get rid of cellulite.

Cosmetic products with matsoni deeply moisturize, perfectly nourish, give a rejuvenating effect, and normalize the acid-base balance. At home, you can prepare various masks on your own. Excellent cosmetic effect matsoni gives in combination with:

• fruit;
• essential oils;
• bee products;
• berries;
• essential oils;
• vegetables;
• eggs;
• greens and herbs.

Please note: too acidic fruits and berries that are part of the masks can harm dry and sensitive skin, essential and vegetable oils should be used with extreme care on oily skin and hair.