Labne – Everything You Need To Know!

Labne is used interchangeably as yogurt and cheese. It is a delicious ingredient that makes a variety of dishes mouthwatering, especially in middle-east. The sour taste of yogurt is commonly added to soups and stews. The dish caught its wide attention for a tangy flavor like yogurt and can spread like cream cheese. But technically, labne can not be considered cheese.

Usually, every cheese process involves separating the curd from the whey. But here, making labne does not require the stage of chemically separating from the whey. Labne comes under the category of cow’s milk yogurt. 

The yogurt is strained by using a cheesecloth and draining all the moisture content. The remaining solid will become thick when it’s drained and it has a creamy texture similar to cream cheese.

How To Make Labne?

In the early days, labne was made of goat’s milk. This was the traditional way where yogurt was made. But later, labne started to use cow’s milk for processing. Reem Kassis, Palestinian writer, and seriously eat contributor says that labne is one of the oldest yogurts since the middle ages.

Labne is available in almost grocery stores. You can find this yogurt among other dairy products. If you want to make this dish at your home, that sounds more interesting. Isn’t it? It is easy to make using different techniques. Here are the things you must follow while making the labne at your home.

You can take either goat’s milk or cow’s milk. But, cow’s milk gives better results.  A teaspoon of salt is needed for a cup of yogurt. You can also adjust the salt level according to your convenience. Take a couple of layers of cheesecloth and place it in a bowl. Pour the yogurt into the cheesecloth and sprinkle it with the salt. Fold each side of the cheesecloth and tie it tightly.

Suspend the cheesecloth in a cabinet handle. Place a bowl underneath the kitchen faucet that you used to control the flow of liquid. You have to wait for several hours until it’s reached the consistency you need. When you give more time for draining, the thicker yogurt you will get. The thicker labne is easy to roll into the different sizes that you prefer. 

The homemade labne can last up to 2 weeks. It’s highly preferred to keep the labne in olive oil for better lasting. In the final stage of processing, you can add your favorite ingredients like chili, mint, and garlic for different flavors. The labne gets a more acidic taste when it is preserved in olive oil. If you want to keep the labne for several months, you can keep this yogurt roll into balls and put it in a jar of olive oil. 

What Are The Alternatives For Labne?

Making labne at your home is an easy process with a lot of fun. The yogurt is easy to find at grocery stores. But what’s the problem with the labne is that it is expensive.so it’s better to prepare at home. Time is the investment here. What if you don’t have time to prepare a labne? Don’t worry about that. There are some alternatives that can help you to maintain the similar taste and flavor of labne in other recipes. Here are some of the best alternatives to labne.

1. Greek Yogurt

If you are a yogurt lover, then don’t think about another alternative. A Greek yogurt is an excellent option that can replace the labne. Greek yogurt maintains a similar texture and taste to labne. Comparatively, green yogurt is creamy in texture, but not thick as labne. However, it’s a great substitute that contains an excellent source of nutrients.

2. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is another perfect substitute for labne. It keeps the creamy texture as labne and is widely used in bagels and crackers. Cream cheese is versatile and mild in flavor. So it can be used as an alternative for other yogurts as well.

3. Mascarpone Cheese

Mascarpone cheese is one of the best Italian cheeses famous for its creamy texture. But there is a slight difference in the taste of labne and mascarpone. The former has a sour taste and the latter has sweeter and richer. However, it can be used as a substitute for labne in a variety of recipes. Mascarpone has high consistency and creamy texture. The cheese is available in both grocery stores and online.

4. Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese is a key ingredient in sweet and savory dishes. But sometimes, ricotta can maintain the flavor and texture of labne in the recipes. Like labne yogurt, ricotta is a mild and smooth cheese in texture. Ricotta is available in almost dairy sections of supermarkets.

5. Sour Cream

As the name suggests, sour cream has a sour taste and is creamy in texture. Sour cream is a widely used substitute for labne. Labne is a mixed version of cheese and yogurt. It is commonly used for garnishing baked potatoes, tacos, and other dishes. 

Is Labne A Healthy Dairy Product?

Labne is a healthy dairy product that is rich in different nutrient sources like protein and calcium. It is a popular yogurt that is famous for its texture and variety of flavors. This type of Yogurt is mainly used in middle- eastern cuisines.

The people from middle- eastern countries used labne as an appetizer, spread, or dessert. Labne Yogurt has many health benefits. It is high in calories and provides a good amount of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fat.

Recent studies suggest that the consumption of protein from dairy products influences weight loss and supports metabolic health. It also helps the immune system, controls sugar levels, and maintains bone density. Labne is low in lactose. Therefore, it is a highly recommended dairy product for people with lactose intolerance. In addition, labne is a sure list of food that you must include in your diet. You can eat labne with vegetables or a warm pita. You can also add the dish to your favorite food. 

Final Take

If you don’t taste it yet, make a labne at your home and add it to your favorite cuisine. Labne is one of the powerful yogurts that can change the cuisine into a more delicious appetizer. Take a bite with the labne and enjoy the melting taste of this special yogurt.