Ankara's Cooling Spoon: Cold Soup
On a hot summer day, imagine drinking a soup as cooling as ice cream! It may sound strange, but in the Akyurt district of Ankara, the most beloved summer delicacy is precisely such a soup: Akyurt Cold Soup! This soup is not cooked and served hot; on the contrary, it is eaten straight from the refrigerator, icy cold, and refreshes everyone during hot weather. Let us all take a spoon and enjoy this pure white and cooling flavor together.
What Exactly Is Cold Soup?
Akyurt Cold Soup is a highly nutritious and refreshing soup made by combining "yarma"—crushed wheat and chickpeas—with thick strained yogurt. It is also known as "Ayranlı Çorba" or "Yarma Çorbası." What makes it so special and delicious are the finely chopped fresh herbs added to it. Aromatic herbs such as dill, fresh onion, and mint not only enhance its color but also impart an incredible freshness and fragrance. This soup is, in essence, a bowl full of summer coolness.
The Cooling Adventure in the Kitchen
Making this cooling soup is like embarking on a pleasant culinary adventure—and it is very simple. First, wheat (yarma) and chickpeas are soaked in water overnight to soften. The next day, both are boiled thoroughly and then set aside to cool completely. Now comes the most enjoyable part! In a large bowl, thick strained yogurt is whisked with water until it reaches a smooth ayran-like consistency. The cooled wheat and chickpeas are then added to this yogurt mixture. Finally, finely chopped dill, fresh onion, and mint are stirred into the soup, and everything is mixed well. That’s it! This flavor, which requires no cooking, is ready to serve after chilling in the refrigerator for a while.
(Generated by Artificial Intelligence)
The Star of Summer Festivals
Akyurt Cold Soup is not only a dish prepared at home but also the star of summer festivals and special occasions. During celebrations such as Hıdırellez, which marks the arrival of spring, as well as weddings and holidays, it is traditionally prepared in large cauldrons and served to everyone. Its cold and filling nature makes it the perfect food for crowded summer gatherings. A bowl of cold soup cools people down while also giving them energy. This flavor is one of the most delicious symbols of summer’s arrival, abundance, and togetherness in Akyurt.
(Generated by Artificial Intelligence)
