Varenets facts for kids
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| Alternative names | Stewler, simmeler |
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| Place of origin | Russia |
| Main ingredients | Milk |
Varenets (Russian: варенец), sometimes called stewler or simmeler in English, is a special kind of fermented milk drink. It is very popular in Russia. Varenets is similar to another Russian drink called ryazhenka. It is made by adding sour cream (also known as smetana) to baked milk. Baked milk is milk that has been heated for a long time until it gets a creamy color and a slightly sweet taste.
What is Varenets?
Varenets is a creamy, tasty milk drink. It has a nice caramel flavor and a light creamy color. People in Russia have enjoyed this drink for a very long time. It's a bit like a thin yogurt, but with its own unique taste.
How Varenets is Made
Making Varenets involves a special process. It uses good bacteria to change the milk. This process is called fermentation.
Traditional Way
In the past, people made Varenets in a special oven called a Russian oven. First, they would bake milk in this oven for many hours. This gave the milk its unique flavor and color. After the milk was baked, they would add sour cream to it. The sour cream contained good bacteria. These bacteria would then ferment the milk, turning it into Varenets.
Modern Production
Today, Varenets is made in factories. The milk used is first pasteurized. This means it is heated to kill any bad germs. Then, it is homogenized. This process makes sure the fat in the milk is mixed evenly. After that, special good bacteria are added to the milk. These bacteria are called Streptococcus thermophilus. They help the milk ferment. This modern way of making Varenets tries to copy the taste and texture of the old-fashioned kind.
