West Africa · Drink
Zrig (Chilled Sweetened Curdled Camel Milk)
A velvety, chilled Mauritanian thirst-quencher made from tart cultured camel milk whipped with sweetened water and orange blossom.
The story
Originating among nomadic Saharan Moors, Zrig is the supreme beverage of hospitality presented in carved wooden calabashes to weary desert travelers upon arrival. Desert pastoralists traditionally allowed fresh camel milk to lightly sour under midday heat before whipping it with cold well water and sugar to yield a cooling, digestible tonic. Unlike cow milk, camel milk contains unique whey proteins that do not coagulate under moderate acid, allowing it to remain silkily emulsified even when tart.
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