Did Mongols Drink Fermented Horse Milk?

Airag is considered by most Mongolians to be the national beverage of the country. Many visitors may have heard of Airag before either as kumis or as what the drink is; fermented mares milk.

Did Mongols drink horse milk?

Horse and camel’s milk is still a staple of some traditional Mongolian diets, along with dairy products from other animals such as goats, sheep, cows, yaks and reindeer.

Did Mongolians drink fermented milk?

Airag, or Ayrag, is the traditional Mongolian fermented mare’s milk alcoholic drink. As the traditional national beverage of Mongolia, you cannot miss it while traveling to the country.

Who drinks fermented horse milk?

The Botai people of modern-day Kazakhstan tamed wild horses on the steppes of Central Asia over five thousand years ago. There, they fermented a beverage, kumis, from the milk of domesticated mares that modern tasters liken to “Champagne mixed with sour cream.”

Why do Mongolians drink horse milk?

Horse milk Airag benefits
Airag is a potent source of vitamins and minerals and is suitable for lactose intolerant people when fermented well.

What kind of milk did the Mongols drink?

fermented mares milk
Travel Guide. Airag is considered by most Mongolians to be the national beverage of the country. Many visitors may have heard of Airag before either as kumis or as what the drink is; fermented mares milk.

Did Mongols drink horse blood?

In times of desperation, they would also slit a minor vein in their horse’s neck and drain some blood into a cup. This they would drink either “plain” or mixed with milk or water. This habit of blood-drinking (which applied to camels as well as horses) shocked the Mongols’ enemies.

What happens if you drink fermented milk?

However, even if you can get past the unpleasant taste, drinking spoiled milk isn’t a good idea. It can cause food poisoning that may result in uncomfortable digestive symptoms, such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Is fermented horse milk good for you?

Today, mare’s milk is used for alleviating tuberculosis, anemia, diabetes, and inflammatory and skin diseases. Also, koumiss, a fermented mare’s milk product, is rich in a protein that helps regulate blood pressure.

Is horse milk good for humans?

Horse milk is known for its high value in vitamins and minerals. It is rich in Vitamin A, B complex, C, E, and D, and minerals are also sufficiently available. Horse milk has a more balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus than most other types of milk, which allows improved absorption of calcium throughout the body.

What is fermented horse milk called?

Kumis is a dairy product similar to kefir, but is produced from a liquid starter culture, in contrast to the solid kefir “grains”. Because mare’s milk contains more sugars than cow’s or goat’s milk, when fermented, kumis has a higher, though still mild, alcohol content compared to kefir.

What does fermented horse milk taste like?

Kumis is fermented horse milk that is popular in Russia and Kazakhstan. The foamy drink tastes like yogurt mixed with beer. Smell and taste the world’s most interesting foods in our tasting bar.

How did the Mongols drink milk?

Modern Mongolians digest dairy by using bacteria to digest lactose for them, turning milk into yogurt and cheese, along with a rich suite of dairy products unknown in the Western diet. Ancient pastoralists may have adopted similar strategies.

What milk did Mongols drink?

Airag
Travel Guide. Airag is considered by most Mongolians to be the national beverage of the country. Many visitors may have heard of Airag before either as kumis or as what the drink is; fermented mares milk.

What did the Mongols milk?

Mongolians milk a wide variety of animals – horses, yaks, sheep, camels, cattle, goats and reindeer – and create many different products including vodka made from yak yoghurt, and a dried curd that can be stored at room temperature for up to two years.

Do Mongols drink milk?

Modern Mongolians digest dairy by using bacteria to digest lactose for them, turning milk into yogurt and cheese, along with a rich suite of dairy products unknown in the Western diet. Ancient pastoralists may have adopted similar strategies.

What country drinks horse milk?

Kyrgyzstan is seeking to attract more tourists by promoting its traditional kumis – fermented mare’s milk – which locals drink and bathe in and say is good for their health.