Matsun: composition, beneficial properties, how to cook it

In the Caucasus, everyone knows what matsun is. They began to produce this fermented milk product more than 200 years ago.

What is yogurt

It is believed that it appeared by accident when a certain Armenian woman accidentally poured warm milk into a jug of yogurt. By the way, in Georgia it is called matsuni and in Armenia - matsun. It can be used as a separate product and as a component of other dishes. How to cook matsuni, knows every hostess in the Caucasus.

Matsun can be made from cow milk, but goat or sheep milk is also used. Ideal is the milk of cows grazing high in the mountains. This dairy product often tastes like kefir, yogurt and sour milk at the same time.

What is the difference between yogurt and kefir, yogurt and sour milk?

Matsun or yogurt is primarily a fermented fermented dairy product, so it can be classified as yogurt. However, there is one significant difference: for example, to get sour milk only those bacteria which are in the air are enough, so it is quite easy to get it. In the case of yogurt, it requires acidophilus bacillus, which are not in the air, so you can not make it by conventional technology.

The way of making matsoni is very similar to the technology of yogurt production, but there are no preservatives, coloring agents and other substances used to produce the first one. Matsoni is absolutely natural product.

As for kefir, it is fundamentally different from other dairy products because it requires special fungi and not bacteria. For some types of kefir several kinds of fungi are used at all. It is for this reason that kefir is distinguished by its "alcoholic" content. And also differentiate this drink by the degree of fat content and maturation period.

Composition and calories

Depending on what milk was taken as the basis, the caloric value of yogurt can be different. For example, yogurt from cow milk has 54 kcal per 100 grams, and from goat milk - 64 kcal. Also there is lean yogurt from cow milk with the energy value of 40 kcal. From this we can conclude that it's quite a dietary product.

Energy value

• Protein - about 3 g.
• fats - about 2 g.
• Carbohydrates - 3.2-3.8 g.

In addition, yogurt contains many vitamins, micro- and macroelements, as well as unique cultures: streptococci and bacillus, amino acids and beta-carotene.

Vitamins

Vitamin A
It was one of the first to be discovered by scientists, which is why it gets its name. Basically, most people know that it is used for cosmetic purposes. And indeed, it is included in almost all skin rejuvenation creams. Also vitamin A has a positive effect on human vision, it is used to prevent night blindness - when a person begins to see poorly at dusk. In fact, the lack of vitamin A and leads to such a condition.

Vitamin A was first obtained from carrots, hence the second name - carotenoids. Vitamins of this group are responsible for visual acuity and prevent the occurrence of many diseases associated with it, including cataracts. Vitamin A, as well as others, is essential to maintain immunity at proper levels, in particular it is needed to increase the protective properties of mucous membranes.

Niacin (PP)
This vitamin was discovered by scientists in America during the spread of a disease called pellagra, characterized by mental disorder, dizziness and vomiting. Refers to soluble vitamins, quite resistant to environmental influences, its other name is nicotinic acid.

Nicotinic acid is an important element for normal development and functioning of a healthy body. The daily rate depends on many factors. This weight, age, weather conditions, climate and nervous state.

Useful properties of vitamin PP

• Has a positive effect on heart function;
• dilates blood vessels, including the brain;
• takes part in the production of energy;
• It is necessary for the absorption of protein from plant foods;
• ensures the normal condition of the mucous membranes in the stomach and mouth;
• Significantly reduces the risk of heart attack.

Vitamin B2.
Riboflavin or B2 is also called the beauty vitamin; healthy skin, hair, and nails depend on enough of it. Riboflavin is a biologically active element and its role in development and health is enormous:

1. Improves and accelerates the healing of injuries and cuts.
2. Improves the condition and health of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and mouth.
3. Positive effect on vision, protects against ultraviolet rays, reduces eye fatigue, increases acuity.
4. Participates in the process of absorption of such an important element, such as iron, which is necessary for normal hematopoiesis.
5. Takes part in metabolic processes.
6. Increases the protective functions of the body.
7. Directly involved in the nervous system and helps in the treatment of some pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease.

Macronutrients and trace elements

Calcium
Most of all, yogurt contains calcium, as well as in any dairy product, about 115 mg per 100 g. To assimilate calcium in the necessary amount, the body needs a sufficient amount of vitamins A, C and D. Most people know that this element is quite important for the formation of bone and dental tissue. However, together with magnesium, it also has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.

In addition, calcium deficiency can lead to symptoms such as:

• Splitting and brittle bones;
• numbness in the extremities;
• pain in the joints;
• tachycardia;
• stunted growth in children;
• increased nervousness and heavy menstruation.

Causes of calcium deficiency in the body can be improper diet and diet composition, smoking and excessive consumption of coffee, as well as some diseases or improper functioning of organs.

Also, eating large amounts of dairy products can cause it to be in excess, which can contribute to dizziness and vomiting.

Phosphorus
The second most abundant element is phosphorus. Phosphorus is the second most important and abundant element in the human body. Like calcium, it is involved in the regeneration and formation of bone tissue. It is the interaction of these elements that contributes to a strong skeletal structure.

Phosphorus is necessary for the formation of RNA and DNA, and is also part of the cell membrane. It takes part in the production, transport and storage of energy in the body. The product stimulates the liver and the brain, improves digestion, and regulates hormones.

Sodium
Sodium is mostly found in table salt, but foods that are too salty or rich in protein interfere with the absorption of this element.

Useful Properties of Sodium:

• Is necessary for the normal production of gastric juices;
• Regulates the water balance;
• dilates blood vessels;
• takes part in the normal functioning of the cardiac and muscular system;
• Supports acid balance in the body.

Also yogurt contains a lot of potassium and iron.

The principal difference from all dairy products is the presence of acidophilus bacillus. Its presence leads to the fact that the product is fully absorbed by the body within an hour, which makes it indispensable in the diet of some diets. It also contributes to the complete breakdown of lactose, which in some cases is extremely important.

The beneficial properties of yogurt

General beneficialness

The composition of yogurt contains lactobacillus, which are important for digestion and production of nutrients for the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

The main useful properties of yogurt are:

• Cleanses the liver and gallbladder;
• Improves the function of the gastrointestinal tract;
• gives vitality to skin, nails and hair;
• Improves gastric peristalsis;
• Improves blood circulation;
• Improves liver and kidney function;
• supports healthy vision;
• Helps the body get rid of toxins;
• removes "bad cholesterol;
• Helps with stress and insomnia;
• normalizes metabolism and helps the production of certain enzymes;
• regulates hormones.

For women

In addition to the already mentioned beneficial properties, yogurt can play a key role in a woman's life. So, it contains two beauty vitamins: A and B3.

Vitamin A is known for its anti-aging effect. Its sufficient amount in a woman's body leads to accelerated growth and replacement of skin cells, which significantly rejuvenates it. It is also essential for protein synthesis and building cell membranes. Its deficiency can lead to dry hair and skin, as well as brittle nails.

Retinol stimulates the formation of collagen, and the ability to maintain and restore the skin is highly valued by many cosmetologists. That is why it is included in most skin masks. It is extremely effective for acne and psoriasis. It is also important to note that vitamin A has antioxidant properties, which prevents the formation of free radicals and therefore cell aging.

Vitamin B3 is also often called the "beauty vitamin". It is needed to maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails. Another important role of this vitamin is a beneficial effect on the nervous system. It can overcome depression, help cope with nervous tension and reduce anxiety, which is very important for any modern woman.

For men

If we talk about the product's benefits for men, then first of all yogurt will be useful for those who are engaged in sports. Matsoni has an anabolic property: it significantly reduces the feeling of hunger, quenches thirst and builds muscles.

It also contains potassium and sodium, which keep the cardiovascular system in excellent condition, which is especially important for every man after 40. The presence of these elements prevents the risk of premature heart attack and other heart diseases.

Also, yogurt contributes to the elimination of cholesterol from the body. Consumption of the product is the prevention of plaque formation, it also increases immunity, improves reproductive function and potency.

Pregnancy

It is a known fact that what is good for the future mother has a positive effect on the development of the fetus. Matsuni in the diet of pregnant women plays a very important role. So, during pregnancy, from the second trimester, the woman's body catastrophically lacks of calcium and protein, which are important components for the normal development of the future child. Matsoni, as well as most dairy products, contains a sufficient amount of these elements, that's why it should be included in ration of pregnant women. Besides, in contrast to the majority of products, it is almost completely assimilated by the body, which is important during pregnancy.

It should also be noted that yogurt contains a sufficient amount of phosphorus, which, along with calcium, forms the bones of the future child. Studies have shown that a newborn baby gets most of the necessary calcium and phosphorus in the last 3-4 months of pregnancy, which once again shows the importance of including this product in the diet of a woman.

During pregnancy it is necessary to take into account some peculiarities of yogurt, namely - it is not necessary to quench thirst with this product. Matsuni is not a supplement, it is a complete meal. You should not drink it cold and in large sips, because this can lead to problems with its absorption by the body.

When breastfeeding

The nutrition of the nursing mother is very important, because it directly affects the health of the infant and the woman herself. Matsuni is a dairy product, so its consumption in this case - a necessity. Matsuni contains many elements and vitamins which influence the correct growth and development of the baby.

There can be a problem with the use of yogurt only if the baby has an individual intolerance or allergy to lactose.

Matsuni when breastfeeding has a positive effect on the intestinal microflora, which allows the baby's body to absorb more nutrients and useful elements. The use of this product is also extremely useful because it removes toxins and impurities, improves the gastrointestinal microflora, relieves colic and helps with constipation.

For children

Matsuni plays an important role in the development and normal functioning of the child's body. Recently the introduction of sour milk products to children's diets has been revised slightly, now they are recommended to begin giving them no earlier than 7-8 months.

Contraindications to the use of yogurt in children:

• allergy to lactose;
• Severe kidney disease;
• Individual intolerance;
• metabolic disorders of kidneys;
• Young age - up to 1 year.

For children, yogurt is a treasure trove of nutrients and trace elements:

1. Calcium and phosphorus form bones and teeth.
2. Bacteria contained in yogurt normalize stools, improve digestion, peristalsis and appetite.
3. The product has a strong inhibitory effect on the development of pathogenic bacteria in the stomach.
4. Matsuni removes toxins from the body and normalizes the intestinal flora after the use of drugs and antibiotics.
5. The product is extremely important in the fight against rickets in children.
6. The presence of a sufficient number of vitamins contributes to normal metabolism.
7. The product increases immunity and protective functions.

For weight loss

Matsoni is a dietary product, so it is often used in the diet of various diets. Besides it contains enough vitamins and minerals, deficiency of which is felt very sharply at restriction of food consumption.

The presence of beneficial bacteria in yogurt, low calories, as well as the ability to remove toxins, impurities and bad cholesterol makes it the number one product among all other dairy analogues for weight loss diets.

Also, the bacteria normalizes the intestinal microflora, which is important when dieting and not eating certain foods.

Maconi in medicine

Matzoni can not be used as a stand-alone medicine, but its useful qualities give the possibility to use it in the treatment of many diseases. In particular we should mention the ability to restore the intestinal microflora and eliminate toxins and impurities from the body.

Diabetes mellitus

This disease has long been characterized by the WHO as an epidemic of the XXI century. It is known that the main cause of the disease is overweight, so for the successful treatment and prevention of the disease, you should follow a certain diet. Consumption of fermented milk products is indicated for diabetics, but the doctor imposes restrictions on the consumption of certain products. Introduction of yogurt to the diet is extremely useful in this disease for a number of reasons.

Yogurt contains a sufficient amount of calcium, the lack of which disturbs metabolism and promotes the formation of fat. With a lack of calcium it is impossible to lose weight. It saturates the body with all the useful vitamins and minerals, which is important when restricting diet. The product normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, normalizes the cardiovascular system.

However, it is important to remember that the high fat content of products can cause complications in the course of the disease, so it is necessary to consult with your doctor.

Important: The glycemic index of matsoni is 20 units.

Gastritis

Gastritis is a disease in which there is an inflammation of the mucosa of the stomach, so for successful treatment it is necessary to adhere to a certain diet. In case of gastritis it is necessary to consult a nutritionist or a doctor. He will unequivocally answer whether it is possible to eat yogurt and in what quantity. One thing exactly can be answered: at this disease take yogurt with great caution.

At constipation

The presence of bacteria in yogurt which normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, among other things, yogurt helps to cope with many disorders, in particular with constipation. Regularly drinking yogurt, it is possible once and for all to forget about such a problem as constipation.

Yogurt in cosmetology

As mentioned before, yogurt contains two important vitamins "beauty": A and B3. Cosmetic manufacturers use them in almost all anti-aging creams, in addition, they are added to various serums to improve the condition of hair and nails. However, manufacturers actually only include synthetic vitamins in products. In yogurt they are presented in sufficient quantities in the form of natural. Therefore, there are many recipes for masks and serums for hair and different types of skin. This product can be applied in pure form to the face and hair for 20 minutes, twice a day.

Harm and contraindications

The product can cause harm only in severe diseases, such as kidney disease, hepatitis, urolithiasis or pancreatitis.

There are also some restrictions for certain diseases, such as gastritis and pancreatitis.

How to properly store yogurt

Yogurt is, first of all, fermented dairy product, which should be stored in a certain way, adhering to the terms.

It is necessary to note that the shelf life of the product directly depends on the whey content. The quantity of whey depends on the recipe and the way of production. If you buy yogurt in the store, as a rule, its shelf life is short and rarely exceeds 72 hours.

Home-prepared yogurt can be stored for up to several months, and in some cases it can be dried, which will significantly increase its shelf life.

Now we need to talk about storage conditions. Matsoni is essentially the result of a fermentation of bacteria, so the storage rules are affected by temperature, light and oxygen access. It follows that yogurt should be stored in an airtight, opaque container in the refrigerator.

How to make yogurt at home

For making matsun it is necessary to use starter which can be bought at a store or drugstore. Matsun cooked at home can be stored much longer than the ready product, and also can be taken with you on trips.

So, you can make matsun from the milk of a cow, sheep, goat and even buffalo. If sourdough is not available, it should be replaced with Bulgarian yogurt or tan.

In Jars.

To prepare 1 liter of ready-made drink, you will need 1 liter of milk and 2 tsp. of sourdough. With milk, a certain procedure must be carried out: it must be heated almost to boiling temperature with the lid closed, then cooled to a temperature of 45 ° C and add whey. Important: The temperature values should be exactly adhered to in order to get the right product.

If you use tan instead of starter, then the ratios are slightly different. So, for 0.5 liters of milk you need to add 4 tsp. of tan.

Everything should be thoroughly mixed, and the container should be wrapped in a terry towel and left for 4 hours. Then place it in the fridge for 8 hours. After that, this "magic" drink is ready. It tastes like kefir, but a little more sour.

In a multicooker

Having the ingredients and special equipment, you can easily prepare this wonderful drink. The main thing is to stick to the recipe. If you use pasteurized milk, you should not boil it, but only bring it to the required temperature - 45 ° C. It should be mixed with sourdough, placed in a multicooker, select the heating mode and keep the mixture for about 8 hours, then put it in the fridge for another 2 hours.

It is also necessary to follow certain rules when cooking, namely:

1. Move the product to a cold place immediately after eight hours of soaking in the heat.
2. After adding the sourdough, it is important not to stir or shake the product, because matsoni can get too liquid.

What can be made from yogurt

Buttermilk yogurt can be eaten as a separate dish as well as a lot of other dishes can be made out of it.

Armenian Cuisine - Spas Soup
To prepare it you will need:

• water - 1 l;
• sour cream;
• yogurt;
• egg;
• salt to taste;
• wheat flour and millet;
• herbs, onions;
• butter.

How to prepare:

1. Mix 1 cup of millet, 1 egg, salt and 2 tablespoons of flour until smooth.
2. Separately mix matsoni (about 800 g) with sour cream and water. Sour cream (200 ml.) is needed to prevent the dish from getting too sour.
3. Then add sour milk mixture to the egg and wheat mixture and mix it very well. Place on a low heat. You need to stir periodically until boiling, then more often. You can use a whisk, so as not to curdle the egg.
4. Boil until the desired thickness. At the end add butter, fried onions and herbs.

In addition to soups, matsoni is also used to make khinkali, casseroles and various sauces.

Interesting facts about matsun

1. The literal translation of the word matsun from Armenian is "sour milk".
2. Inhabitants of the Caucasus call matsun the elixir of youth.
3. Studies of scientists have shown that the majority of long-livers living in the Caucasus regularly consume this magical drink.
4. Matsuni is still quite a popular dish among the peoples of Central Asia and Asia Minor.
5. Matsuni is an independent dish.
6. Unlike most dairy products that should not be consumed to quench thirst, yogurt does an excellent job.
7. Matsuni is a favorite product of many athletes because it helps to build up muscle mass in a short time.
8. To correct your figure or lose weight it is enough to drink a glass of yogurt regularly.
9. You can use yogurt as sour cream or use it with greens, spread on simple bread.
10. Most cooks in the East necessarily add matsoni to khachapuri, as well as stew meat and vegetables in it.

Photo of matzoh