Step into almost any Kurdish-American kitchen or supermarket in the United States, and you’ll likely find Erbil Kurdish Yogurt. When Kurds across the country first tasted this creamy, tangy staple, their social media feeds lit up with nostalgic posts, each celebrating a beloved taste of home.
Bilal Wahab, president of the American University of Sulaymaniyah, captured the excitement in a viral tweet a couple of years ago: “America is finally whole!” Even Arab journalist Shaban Abboud declared on Facebook, “I travel several kilometers to buy Erbil milk. Among all the Arabian, Turkish, and Greek milks here in Virginia, only this one revives the flavor of my childhood.”
Although I haven’t yet tried it – it’s not available in New Hampshire – I look forward to tasting it once I visit Virginia or Chicago. I promised Halmat Nanakaliy, the owner of Erbil Yogurt Inc., that I’ll give it a try.
Halmat was born in 1984 in Erbil, in what is now the Kurdistan Region. His father, Rasheed Nanakaliy, was a successful entrepreneur who owned farms and businesses in Kurdistan during the 1980s. But as war and Saddam Hussein’s regime cast a shadow over their homeland, Rasheed made the difficult decision in 1996 to leave for the United States in search of safety and opportunity, leaving his wife and ten children behind in Erbil.
Starting from scratch
After his departure, the family faced significant hardships. “We were still kids and had to return to my uncle’s house in Sardar village,” Halmat recalls. His mother rose before dawn to tend to cows and goats, produce yogurt and cheese, and send it off to the city market to sell. During the 1980s, his mother’s yogurt was widely recognized throughout Erbil.
After five years, Rasheed completed the immigration process and reunited with his family in Chicago in 2001. Starting from scratch like many refugees, they faced hardships but persevered. “Being a Kurd instilled in us resistance, pride in our heritage, and a deep respect for Kurdish traditions,” Halmat says.
Years later, the family decided to return to its roots: yogurt making. During family gatherings, they realized a shared desire to recreate their mother’s traditional Kurdish yogurt. They started making batches at home and selling it to their friends and neighbors, which led to increasing demand for authentic Kurdish yogurt.
In 2018, the family officially established Erbil Yogurt Inc. in Illinois. Halmat believes Erbil Kurdish Yogurt is a way to share Kurdistan’s culture through its name, design, and products. The yogurt containers are crafted to highlight the region’s beauty and heritage.
Rasheed dedicated his final years to realizing his family’s dream before passing away in 2024. “My father inspired us and always hoped to see Erbil Yogurt in every U.S. store,” Halmat says.
On store shelves across the United States
After Rasheed’s passing, Halmat and his brother Shalaw assumed leadership of the factory, which currently employs several Kurdish workers. Halmat views being Kurdish as both an honor and a responsibility, with Kurdish resilience influencing his approach to producing yogurt, emphasizing integrity and cleanliness in their operations.
When I ask Halmat about the inspiration for creating a Kurdish yogurt company, he replies, “It stemmed from my love for our culture and my desire to share it with the world.” Yogurt has always been a staple in Kurdish households, embodying both nourishment and tradition.
Halmat began modestly, experimenting at home with his mother’s recipes before gradually developing the company step by step. “We began making yogurt at home in August 2016, inspired by family traditions and a desire to share authentic Kurdish flavors. By 2018, the company was officially incorporated, and today I proudly serve as its CEO and co-founder,” Halmat notes with pride.Halmat emphasizes that Erbil Kurdish Yogurt is a celebration of Kurdish culture. Every detail reflects the beauty of their homeland and the richness of their traditions. “My late father was an integral part of this journey. He inspired our family to pursue this dream and envisioned our yogurt on store shelves across the United States,” he states.
To his children, Rasheed was both mentor and friend. His passing left a profound sadness, but his sons Halmat and Shalaw continue to oversee the factory together. “Every product we create carries his legacy forward, honoring his vision for growth and cultural pride,” Halmat shares.
After all that Halmat’s family has experienced – displacement, war, and migration – I was curious to know how he feels about being a Kurd. “Being Kurdish is both an honor and a responsibility,” he says. The Kurdish history of resilience and perseverance guides him daily, shaping how they create their products and conduct themselves.
A diasporic success story
One of the missions of Kurdistan Chronicle is to highlight successful Kurdish individuals in the diaspora. For Halmat, achieving success as a Kurd holds profound meaning. “While we remain stateless, our culture and identity are unshakable,” he adds.
Building a business that promotes Kurdish culture in the United States proves that, with determination and vision, Kurds can thrive anywhere. “Along the way, we have faced pressure from some retailers to remove the word ‘Kurdish’ from our packaging,” Halmat says. “Our response was clear: we would never erase our identity. If our products cannot carry the Kurdish name, it means that we do not exist. Our brand represents pride, not compromise.”
Every Kurdish family I spoke with in the diaspora agrees that preserving language, culture, and heritage is vital. Without these, future generations risk losing their identity. As Halmat highlighted, food is one of the most powerful cultural connectors, and through their products, they share a piece of history with every customer. “Made with just two simple ingredients – milk and starter culture – our yogurt remains natural, authentic, and true to our community’s taste,” he adds.
Erbil Yogurt Inc. offers a diverse range of yogurts, including traditional smoked and plain varieties, flavored options, and a yogurt drink known in Kurdish as mastaw. Their dedication to authenticity, natural ingredients, and craftsmanship distinguishes them from mass-produced alternatives. Halmat emphasizes that their products are made with passion, love, and devotion.Quality is at the heart of their operations. “We carefully source fresh milk, employ time-honored fermentation techniques, and adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and safety,” he explains. Every batch is tested to ensure consistency, freshness, and authenticity.
Food as a cultural ambassador
Erbil Yogurt products are rooted in family recipes passed down through generations. “While we honor these traditions, we also adapt them slightly to meet modern tastes and nutritional preferences,” Halmat explains. This balance preserves the essence of Kurdish yogurt while making it accessible to a broader audience. Their target demographic includes both the Kurdish community across the United States and consumers who value authentic, high-quality, culturally inspired food.Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Many share that the taste reminds them of home, while others say it introduces them to Kurdish culture for the first time. “Many express appreciation not only for the taste but also for the story behind the brand,” Halmat notes.
Like any entrepreneurial journey, challenges have been inevitable – from navigating complex regulations and building distribution channels to educating consumers about a new product. Through persistence, community support, and a steadfast commitment to quality, Halmat and his brother have managed to overcome these barriers, transforming them into stepping stones toward growth.
Some people say the taste of Erbil Kurdish Yogurt reminds them of the farm-fresh products they ate during the 1960s. “Such feedback is not only humbling, but also motivating, as it affirms our mission to make each batch better than the last,” he says enthusiastically.
Looking ahead, Halmat envisions expanding the product line with new flavors, lactose-free options, and probiotic varieties, along with broader distribution across the United States and internationally. “Our vision is for Erbil Kurdish Yogurt to become a globally recognized and respected brand,” Halmat shares, expressing his dream of continuing to represent their culture with authenticity and pride.
“Our goal has always been to use food as a cultural ambassador, fostering awareness and appreciation.”
