Leben (milk product)

Laban
A jar of leben
CourseBreakfast, lunch
Region or stateMiddle East, Northern Africa
Serving temperatureCold
Main ingredientsMilk, yogurt, half-and-half
  • Cookbook: Leben (Middle Eastern Sour Milk)
  •   Media: Laban

The term leben, variously laban, liben, lben // (Arabic: لبن) in the Middle East and North Africa, refers to a food or beverage of fermented milk. Generally, there are two main products known as laban: the yogurt variant for the Levant region and the buttermilk variant for parts of Arabia and North Africa (Maghreb). Leben can be served at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Average nutritional values per 100 ml of laban:

  • Energy: 60 kcal
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4.7 g
    • Of which sugars: 4.7 g
  • Total fat: 3.3 g
    • Of which saturated fat: 2.2 g
  • Sodium: 45 mg
  • Vitamin D3: 40 IU
  • Vitamin A: 125 IU
  • Calcium: 100 mg