Airag Milk Beverages

Fermentation destroys the lactose in milk, converting it into lactic acid, ethanol, and carbon dioxide. This makes Airag acceptable for lactose intolerant people, which includes most Mongolians. Without fermentation, mare's milk contains significantly more lactose than cow's milk.

Mare's milk is usually not consumed raw, because it tends to have a strong laxative effect (on the other hand, that effect can be applied for medical treatment). Instead, it almost always gets fermented into Airag.

Hospitality mandates to present a bowl of airag to each visitor. A Mongolian will normally empty it, but it is also ok to just take a sip and return the bowl. To reject the offer right away would be gravely impolite.

Airag refreshens and sparkles softly on the tongue. It contains a small amount of carbon dioxide, and up to 2% of alcohol. The taste is slightly sour, but quite agreeable after getting used to it. The exact taste depends both of the characteristics of the pastures and the exact method of production. The beverage is a rich source of vitamins and minerals for the nomads.

The stirring then needs to be repeated regularly over one or two days. Traditionally, anyone entering or leaving the yurt would do a few strokes. The added oxygen helps the fermentation process by a combination of lactic acid bacteria and yeast, similar to Kefir.

The milk is filtered through a cloth, and poured into a large open leather sack (Khukhuur), which is usually suspended next to the entrance of the yurt. Alternatively, a vat from larch wood (Gan), or in modern times also from plastic, can be used. Within this container, it gets stirred with a wooden masher, in order to introduce air, and especially oxygen.

The mongolian beverage every traveller is talking about. The most important animal of the Mongols is the horse. Horses don't only serve as riding animals, the mare's milk also has a special significance.

Fermented Mare's Milk
(sometimes transcribed Ayrag, known as Kumys in many languages)

Airag

Airag
Fermented Mare's Milk
(sometimes transcribed Ayrag, known as Kumys in many languages)