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Why do you think that local companies in Saudi Arabia type "Laban" on their product instead of the word " Buttermilk"?

I refer to the اللبن drink

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Question added by Ahmed Alkhamali
Date Posted: 2016/12/03

The people of Saudi Arabia are descended from tribes of nomadic sheep and goat herders and maintain many of the traditions of their past. Traditional foods like dates, fatir (flat bread), arikah (bread from the southwestern part of the country), and hawayij (a spice blend) are still eaten by Saudis today, although most Saudis have settled in towns and cities and no longer follow the nomadic lifestyle. Saudi Arabia is also home to Mecca, the origin and spiritual center of Islam. The culture, as well as the laws of Saudi Arabia, is founded on Islamic principles, including the dietary restrictions against eating pork or drinking alcohol.

In the 1930s, oil was discovered on the Arabian Peninsula. Income from oil has allowed Saudi Arabia to become modernized and to begin to develop stronger industries in other areas such as agriculture. Saudi Arabia now produces all of its own dairy products and most of its own vegetables. Many foreign workers are needed to maintain the new industries, and foreign foods as well as fast food chains are now available in Saudi Arabia. However, it is mostly the foreigners who eat those foods; most Saudis prefer traditional fare.

ehab amin
by ehab amin , Process control and Production Engineer. , Lactalis – Halawa Group

just a commercial name, here in Egypt named Rayeb لبن رايب  but the scientific name  for this drink is fermentation milk. 

Amir Ageeb
by Amir Ageeb , Content Senior Specialist , Elm Company

Saudis use the Arabic word "Haleeb" to mean fresh or buttermilk, and use the Arabic "Laban" to signify sour milk. This is common is Saudi Arabia and - may be - in some other GCC countries. In Sudan for instance, we use the Arabic word "milk" as a synonyms to "Haleeb" in Saudi Arabia, and we use the Arabic word "Laban Rayeb or just (Robe)" as a synonyms to "Laban" in Saudi Arabia.

I suppose the explanation of using the word "Laban" instead of buttermilk is because the word "Laban" describes the commodity offered for sale, which is "sour milk" according to Saudi naming; whereas "buttermilk" in Saudi Arabia is reffered to in Arabic as "Haleeb". So, Saudis use the word "Haleeb" for milk or buttermilk, and use the word "Laban" for sour milk. It is a tradition; I do not know why!  

Hopefully it is a clear answer. 

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