Çal

Turkmenistan's famed çal (camel's milk kefir) is a must-try for anybody visiting the country. Al is a Turkmen traditional drink prepared from fermented camel milk. Because camel's milk has a high sugar content, it can be fermented. Turkmenistan claims that a glass of breakfast çal can wake you up faster than a double espresso. It's also thought to have medicinal effects.

The cream is skimmed from the milk, then the milk is diluted with water and fermented slightly to form çal. It is consumed close to where it is manufactured, shortly after it is made, because it is exceedingly perishable and necessitates specific preparation processes. Allow this pleasantly tart, effervescent drink to cool you down in Turkmenistan's scorching heat.