A Sip of Boza — Why It’s a Winter Drink

A sip of boza is the taste of winter. Remembered along with the long, drawn-out cry of “bozaaa” in the streets, this thick drink is made by fermenting millet, and its history goes back to Central Asia.

What is boza?

Boza is a thick, gently sweet-and-sour fermented drink made from millet flour (or from bulgur, maize or wheat). The grain is boiled into a porridge, sweetened with sugar and left to ferment, and within a few days it develops its own distinctive aroma and texture.

Fermentation produces a very small amount of natural alcohol (usually under 1%), which is why it has been a subject of debate throughout history.

History

Boza’s origins go back to Central Asia, to the very distant times when grain fermentation was already known. In Seljuk and Ottoman cities, boza makers had their place among the craft guilds, and boza was the main drink of the winter months.

In Istanbul, boza-making has carried on since the 19th century as a craft handed down from father to son. Even today, boza shops open in the winter months and close in summer — because boza spoils quickly in the heat.

How to drink it

Boza is served with a sprinkling of cinnamon on top and leblebi (roasted chickpeas) on the side. The cinnamon balances the aroma, while the dryness of the leblebi cuts through boza’s thickness. This trio is no coincidence but a well-established pairing.

It isn’t eaten with a spoon but sipped from the rim of the glass; because it is so thick, it goes down slowly.

Why winter?

Boza is a living product: it keeps on fermenting. In the heat, the process speeds up and the boza turns sour and undrinkable. Cold weather makes it easier to keep, and also makes a thick, calorie-rich drink more appealing. Those two reasons are why boza is seasonal.

Nutritional value

Because it is made from grain, it is rich in carbohydrates and contains B vitamins, and as a fermented product it is easy to digest. Its calorie and nutrient density is why it has traditionally been recommended for breastfeeding mothers and children.

You can also read about another winter drink, salep (a hot, milky drink made with orchid root), or browse the Recipes section.