Kaymak
Kaymak, Sarshir, or Qashta/Ashta ( ) ( ) is a creamy dairy food similar to clotted cream, made from the milk of water buffalo, cows, sheep, or goats in Central Asia, some Balkan countries, some Caucasus countries, the countries of the Levant, Turkic regions, Iran and Iraq. In Poland, the name refers to a confection similar to dulce de leche instead. The traditional method of making kaymak is to boil the raw milk slowly, then simmer it for two hours over a very low heat. After the heat source is shut off, the cream is skimmed and left to chill (and mildly  ferment) for several hours or days. Kaymak has a high percentage of milk fat, typically about 60%. It has a thick, creamy consistency (not entirely compact, because of milk protein fibers) and a rich taste. Etymology. The word "kaymak" has Central Asian Turkic origins, possibly formed from the verb , which means 'melt' and 'molding of metal' in Turkic. The first written records of the word "kaymak" is in the well-known book of Mahmud al-Kashgari, . The word remains as in Mongolian, which refers to a fried clotted cream, and with small variations in Turkic languages as in Azerbaijani, in  Uzbek, ' in Kazakh and Shor, ' in Kyrgyz, "" in Turkish, in Turkmen, () in Georgian, () in Greek, and "кајмак" (kajmak) in Serbo-Croatian, "caimac" in Romanian. This dairy food is called "Sarshir" in Iran. This word means 'something which stands on the top of the milk'. They use this name because after boiling milk, a layer of fat stands on the top of the boiled milk. Turkey. Shops in Turkey have been devoted to kaymak production and consumption for centuries. Kaymak is mainly consumed today for breakfast along with the traditional Turkish breakfast. One type of kaymak is found in the Afyonkarahisar  region where the water buffalo are fed from the residue of poppy seeds pressed for oil. Kaymak is traditionally eaten with baklava and other Turkish desserts, fruit preserve and honey or as a filling in pancakes. Balkans. Known as , it is almost always made at home, though commercial production is on the rise. Kajmak is most expensive when freshest—only a day or two old. It can keep for weeks in the fridge but becomes harder and loses quality. Kajmak can also be matured in dried animal skin sacks; one variation is called . also describes the creamy foam in the  Turkish coffee, and a lot of other coffees in the Balkans. It is usually enjoyed as an appetizer or for Saturday morning breakfast, as Saturdays are market days with the best kajmak, but also as a condiment. The simplest recipe is pita bread filled with kajmak in Serbia) consumed for breakfast or as fast food. Bulgarians, Bosnians, Montenegrins and Serbs consider it a national meal. Other traditional dishes with kajmak (sold in restaurants) include (the Balkan version of a hamburger patty topped with melted kajmak), as well as (beef shank, simmered with kajmak). Iraq. In Iraq, it is called or  () and is very popular. Iraqi is usually made from the rich fatty milk of cows or buffaloes, which are prevalent in the marshes of southern Iraq. It is available both factory-produced and from local vendors or farmers as . Iraqis like to serve for breakfast with fresh bread, honey or jam. However, the most popular way is to spread it on a type of Iraqi pastry bread called , smother it with date honey and then wash it down with hot tea. on with date syrup or honey is a long-standing traditional breakfast in Baghdad and throughout southern and northern  Iraq. Iran. In Iran, () is used to describe a different method which does not involve heating the milk, thus keeping enzymes and other cultures of the milk alive. The word "kaymak" () is also used for the boiled method. is a Turkish word used to describe this product among the Azari people of Iran. Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, or has a thinner quality and is eaten for breakfast meals usually with bread. People typically top qaimak with honey, sugar, or mix it with jam. It can be spread on pastries or even added to milk tea. Qaimak can be purchased at grocery  stores in Afghanistan or made at home. It is quite a long process to make at home, involving hours stirring the milk pot. Qaimak can be found at Afghan/Iranian grocery stores in the west, but is not as rich as homemade. While a lot qaimak variations are made from buffalo milk, Afghan qaimak can be made from cows' milk. Georgia. In the Adjara region of Georgia, bordering Turkey, () is made from cow's milk in homes in the mountainous municipalities of Keda, Shuakhevi, and Khulo. It is typically eaten with Georgian cheese and/or bread, and is only rarely served  in restaurants. Greece. () in Greece refers to mastic-flavored ice cream that is widely available and often served alongside traditional desserts.