You must’ve heard of many alcoholic drinks made from ingredients like fruits, flowers, and grains. But have you heard of an alcoholic drink made from milk – and that too mare’s milk? Yes, you heard it right! Airag, more commonly known as Kumis across Central Asia, is the traditional beverage of Mongolia. Here’s what you need to know about this unique alcoholic drink made from milk!
Airag – How Is It Made
The process first begins by milking the mare. Milking a mare requires considerable skill, and there are special milking seasons in Mongolia. The Mongolian people milk horses from mid-June to early October. During the milking season, a mare produces approximately 1,000 to 1,200 liters of milk. However, not all of it is used for the production of Airag. About half of it is left for the mare’s foal.
Once this unpasteurized milk is collected, it is filtered through a cloth and poured into a thick cowhide sack called Khukuur. While this is the traditional method, some Mongolians use plastic or a wooden vat instead of the cowhide sack. Following that, they use a wooden masher called Buluur to stir the milk. It is required to keep constantly stirring the milk repeatedly for one or two days.
Many Mongolians keep this setup close to the entrance of the ger tents – traditional Mongolian tents. That way, anyone entering or exiting the tent can stir the milk. The process of stirring this milk is similar to that of churning butter.
A combination of lactobacilli bacteria and yeast ferment the milk, and the stirring ensures that the milk is uniformly fermented. Today, the initial fermentation process takes about two to five hours after which the drink is left for a cooler aging period.
Also Read: Apong: A Northeast Indian Drink Made Exclusively By Women
How Does Airag Taste Like
Airag has an alcohol by volume (ABV) of only about 0.7 to 2%, meaning it has a similar ABV to a light beer. The drink has a sour, slightly acidic taste and also has a little carbon dioxide. The exact taste of Airag depends on the characteristics of the pastures and the exact method of production. However, it is generally a tangy, slightly acidic drink consumed typically in the summer. While many alcoholic drinks around the world do not consist of essential vitamins and minerals, Airag is a standout exception.
Another interesting aspect of this drink is that it is suitable even for people with lactose intolerance. This is because during the fermentation, the lactose in the milk gets converted to lactic acid, ethanol, and carbon dioxide. Without fermentation, mare’s milk contains significantly more lactose than cow or yak milk. Who knew milk had been consumed as a lactose-free alcoholic drink for centuries?
Also Read: Taadi: The Ancient Drink Taking Over Modern Conversations
Significance Of Airag
Airag has been an important part of Mongolian culture for centuries. Traces of milk in bowls have been found in the archaeological excavations of the Botai culture of prehistoric Central Asia. In his 5th-century work titled Histories, Herodotus, a prominent Greek historian, explains the process of milking mares, possibly for the production of Airag.
Today, the drink is not just a mere commodity, it serves as a symbol of Mongolian hospitality. Visit a traditional ger and you’ll likely be welcomed with a cup of Airag. This yoghurt-meets-cider-like drink essentially holds the same importance as tea has for us Indians.
Summing Up
Fizzy, milky, and slightly acidic – this drink from Mongolia is comfortably served in a cup. The drink has been one of the most prominent cultural symbols in both Mongolia and other parts of Central Asia. Plus, the drink is suitable even for lactose-intolerant people despite being made from milk. So, the next time you’re traveling to Mongolia, make sure to try out this traditional drink made from mare’s milk.
