Yogurt is an ancient food, used by peoples in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East across the millennia. Yogurt first appeared during the Neolithic period, around 5,000–10,000 years ago, probably as a result of milk naturally souring in warm temperatures. Evidence from ancient pottery shows that Neolithic people were using the pots to store milk. As a fermented food, yogurt was a great way to preserve milk, since the acidity slows the growth of harmful bacteria. Yogurt was a well-known food in the Greek and Roman Empire and has played a major role in Mediterranean cuisine since 800 BCE
