{"id":2125354,"date":"2026-09-02T13:00:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T10:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2125354"},"modified":"2026-09-02T13:00:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T10:00:43","slug":"how-horse-milk-kymyz-became-a-drink-still-in-demand-thousands-of-years-later","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2125354","title":{"rendered":"How horse milk \u2018kymyz\u2019 became a drink still in demand thousands of years later"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/63\/11\/1200x675_cmsv2_6e70ef63-a47b-50f3-91e0-87bdf5e16d16-9886311.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2922669-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922669\" data-cid=\"9899181\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922669-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/04\/83\/11\/28\/189x106_cmsv2_09e2d377-a480-5cf6-a23e-fc9fc4a2ec59-4831128.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"This April 4, 2016 file photo shows Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb in Malta on Oct. 16, 2017.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Malta jury clears businessman in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922631-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922631\" data-cid=\"9899069\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922631-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/69\/189x106_cmsv2_b4f97632-1499-5f92-b14a-ae6bf650275d-9899069.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spanish Pedro Sanchez speaks to reporters \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922524-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2922524\" data-cid=\"9898543\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922524-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/85\/43\/189x106_cmsv2_efb8ba1d-6940-5094-a07b-1ffd3e9a5b37-9898543.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"MEPs Bentele (EPP) and Germain (S&amp;D) in The Ring\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The surge of the far-right &#8211; who is to blame? MEPs clash in The Ring\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922608-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2922608\" data-cid=\"9899127\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922608-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/89\/97\/189x106_cmsv2_a76e691b-5c40-5e28-a2bb-8af712084f79-9898997.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers secure the area around the Schachen racecourse after a shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, on Sunday, 30 August 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Swiss rave shooting suspect reportedly had &#8216;psychological problems&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922669-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922669\" data-cid=\"9899181\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922669-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/04\/83\/11\/28\/189x106_cmsv2_09e2d377-a480-5cf6-a23e-fc9fc4a2ec59-4831128.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"This April 4, 2016 file photo shows Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was killed by a car bomb in Malta on Oct. 16, 2017.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Malta jury clears businessman in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922631-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922631\" data-cid=\"9899069\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922631-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/90\/69\/189x106_cmsv2_b4f97632-1499-5f92-b14a-ae6bf650275d-9899069.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Spanish Pedro Sanchez speaks to reporters \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922524-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2922524\" data-cid=\"9898543\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922524-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/85\/43\/189x106_cmsv2_efb8ba1d-6940-5094-a07b-1ffd3e9a5b37-9898543.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"MEPs Bentele (EPP) and Germain (S&amp;D) in The Ring\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    The Ring<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The surge of the far-right &#8211; who is to blame? MEPs clash in The Ring\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922608-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2922608\" data-cid=\"9899127\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922608-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/89\/97\/189x106_cmsv2_a76e691b-5c40-5e28-a2bb-8af712084f79-9898997.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Police officers secure the area around the Schachen racecourse after a shooting at a rave in Aarau, Switzerland, on Sunday, 30 August 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Swiss rave shooting suspect reportedly had &#8216;psychological problems&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Culture<\/p>\n<p>                          Culture Series<\/p>\n<p>                          Modern Nomads<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            How horse milk \u2018kymyz\u2019 became a drink still in demand thousands of years later<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-sp\"><span class=\"c-sp__label\">In partnership with<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/articles\/campaigns\/866\/300x64_cmsv2_c74631ff-d361-585c-9238-73fc14ca3554-866.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"64\" alt=\"MDQ\" class=\"c-sp__logo\" 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Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Fermented horse milk, known as kymyz, is a traditional Central Asian drink with thousands of years of history. In Kazakhstan, it remains an important part of nomadic heritage, cuisine and hospitality.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--culture js-article-content\">\n<p>Kymyz is a traditional drink made from mare&#8217;s milk and drunk in many countries across Central Asia. Peoples ranging from northern Han Chinese to Kazakhs, Bashkirs, Kalmyks, Kyrgyz, Mongols and Yakuts say their ancestors have been drinking kymyz since time immemorial.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The earliest Western text that mentions it is by Herodotus, who, in his 5th-century BC Histories, describes the Scythians\u2019 processing of mare&#8217;s milk.<\/p>\n<p>Kazakhstan holds a special place in kymyz production. In the Copper Age necropolis of the Botai culture, located in modern-day Kazakhstan, archaeologists found evidence of the world\u2019s earliest horse domestication. They also found traces of horse milk on pottery.<\/p>\n<p>Kymyz also provided energy to nomadic warriors during wartime. Rich in vitamins and nutrients, kymyz is attracting scientific interest as researchers explore its potential benefits.<\/p>\n<p>Gaukhar Konuspayeva, a professor of food biotechnology, has spent the past 26 years studying camel and horse milk. She says there is still much more to learn about the potential of kymyz.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAccording to our research, mare\u2019s milk is very rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B5 and B6. But what makes kymyz unique is its fatty acid composition and the presence of prebiotic bacteria,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n<p>Kymyz was not forgotten during the Soviet era, when many of the peoples with a tradition of drinking it lived within the Soviet Union. Soviet state farms in the region kept hundreds of thousands of mares for their milk and dairy products, including kymyz.<\/p>\n<h2>Inside the tradition of kymyz making<\/h2>\n<p>There are different types of kymyz. Its taste depends not only on the region where the horse grazes and the grass it eats, but also on how the drink is prepared.<\/p>\n<p>Every farmer has their own recipe, but the freshest mare\u2019s milk, known as saumal, is considered the most valuable. You won\u2019t find it in supermarkets, as it stays fresh for only a few hours. To try it, you usually have to go to the countryside.<\/p>\n<p>In the village of Zhanaarka in the Ulytau Region, Aiman Kutzhanova showed us how she milks her mares. She works as a deputy principal at a local school and also raises horses with her husband.<\/p>\n<p>There is a traditional way of milking a mare. First, the foal is allowed to feed, and only then is the milk collected.<\/p>\n<p>Unlike cows, mares need to be milked every one to two hours, and they can produce only about a litre of milk a day.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHorses are sacred animals. They choose the person who milks them. For example, my mares won\u2019t let anyone else milk them. Even if I come wearing different clothes, they won\u2019t let me milk them,\u201d says Aiman Kutzhanova.<\/p>\n<p>After milking, the milk should either be drunk fresh (saumal) or used to make kymyz. To prepare it, the milk is stirred in deep wooden vessels called \u2018kubi\u2019. The inside of the vessel is traditionally coated with butter before the milk is added.<\/p>\n<p>In the past, leather sacks filled with mare\u2019s milk were hung from the top of the yurt or attached to a saddle, allowing the milk to be shaken throughout the day.<\/p>\n<p>Today, there are also many different varieties of kymyz, including versions made with honey, smoked flavours, herbs and even horse meat.<\/p>\n<h2>The celebration of mare milking<\/h2>\n<p>For centuries, Kazakhs lived as nomads, moving between winter and summer pastures with their herds. The start of the mare-milking season coincided with the move to the summer pastures, where families would set up their yurts(portable homes used by nomadic families).<\/p>\n<p>The first milking of the season marked the beginning of a new season and was celebrated as a big event. The tradition is known as \u2018Kymyz Muryndyk\u2019, which refers to the first kymyz of the season.<\/p>\n<p>This tradition is still alive today. Festivals dedicated to Kymyz Muryndyk are held in two regions of Kazakhstan: Ulytau and Almaty, often far from the cities and close to the steppe.<\/p>\n<p>The celebrations bring together local families, farmers and visitors.<\/p>\n<h2>The BaiKymyz festival<\/h2>\n<p>Every year, Astana also hosts the BaiKymyz Festival, where producers compete to find the best kymyz. The festival brings together farmers and kymyz producers from across the country.<\/p>\n<p>The festival was created by Zhumazhan Kaltayev, who drew inspiration from Germany\u2019s Oktoberfest and adapted the idea to Kazakhstan, putting kymyz and nomadic culture at the heart of the event.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI went to Oktoberfest in Munich in 2020. I saw that it was a family celebration, and I also saw how much it could contribute to the local economy. We didn\u2019t have anything like that in Kazakhstan,\u201d Zhumazhan Kaltayev said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople really liked our festival because it is not just about the drink. It represents our national identity, our culture, our spirit and our history.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The competition is not only about taste. This year, producers also competed for the title of kymyz with the best nutritional composition, with experts examining the quality and characteristics of the drink.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe total prize fund this year is 45 million tenge. The main prize, the Grand Prix, is a car,\u201d Kaltayev added.<\/p>\n<h2>The new life of kymyz<\/h2>\n<p>In Kazakhstan, the drink has become part of everyday life. You can now find bottled kymyz in supermarkets and order it in cafes and restaurants.<\/p>\n<p>For a drink with centuries of history, kymyz is finding surprisingly modern ways to reach a new generation.<\/p>\n<p>One of the latest trends is the rise of kymyz houses (kymyz-khana). Here, visitors can try different types of kymyz, including traditional varieties as well as versions made with honey, herbs and other ingredients.<\/p>\n<p>Kymyz is also reaching international markets. Dried mare\u2019s milk and other kymyz products are exported to countries such as China, Russia and Germany.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2906117-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2906117\" data-cid=\"9819178\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906117-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/91\/78\/480x270_cmsv2_607a8124-78de-5c34-ac48-489ed6d136ed-9819178.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\u00a9\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Modern Nomads<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Summer music festivals are powering Kazakhstan&#8217;s creative wave<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__quote\">In partnership with <strong>MDQ<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902760-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2902760\" data-cid=\"9802456\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2902760-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/24\/56\/480x270_cmsv2_be031013-1bb3-5e7a-90e6-446c30795b48-9802456.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\u00a9\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Modern Nomads<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Burabay National Park in summer \u2013 teaming with life and tourists<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__quote\">In partnership with <strong>MDQ<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2901113-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2901113\" data-cid=\"9794384\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2901113-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/79\/43\/89\/480x270_cmsv2_039fb132-bd8b-5063-bf30-e2ac9c1165fc-9794389.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pearls of the Tian Shan: Exploring the natural wonders of Kolsai Lakes National Park\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Modern Nomads<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The Tian Shan&#8217;s best-kept secret: Kolsai Lakes National Park<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__quote\">In partnership with <strong>MDQ<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Tradition<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Kazakhstan<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Culture<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Food<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Travel<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" 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class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2906117-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2906117\" data-cid=\"9819178\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2906117-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/81\/91\/78\/480x270_cmsv2_607a8124-78de-5c34-ac48-489ed6d136ed-9819178.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\u00a9\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Modern Nomads<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Summer music festivals are powering Kazakhstan&#8217;s creative wave<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__quote\">In partnership with <strong>MDQ<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2902760-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2902760\" data-cid=\"9802456\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2902760-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/80\/24\/56\/480x270_cmsv2_be031013-1bb3-5e7a-90e6-446c30795b48-9802456.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\u00a9\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Modern Nomads<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Burabay National Park in summer \u2013 teaming with life and tourists<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__quote\">In partnership with <strong>MDQ<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2901113-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2901113\" data-cid=\"9794384\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2901113-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/79\/43\/89\/480x270_cmsv2_039fb132-bd8b-5063-bf30-e2ac9c1165fc-9794389.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pearls of the Tian Shan: Exploring the natural wonders of Kolsai Lakes National Park\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Modern Nomads<\/p>\n<h3 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<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Kymyz is a traditional drink made from mare&#8217;s milk and drunk in many countries across Central Asia. Peoples ranging from northern Han Chinese to Kazakhs, Bashkirs, Kalmyks, Kyrgyz, Mongols and Yakuts say their ancestors have been drinking kymyz since time immemorial.The earliest Western text that mentions it is by Herodotus, who, in his 5th-century BC Histories, describes the Scythians\u2019 processing of mare&#8217;s milk.Kazakhstan holds a special place in kymyz production. In the Copper Age necropolis of the Botai culture, located in modern-day Kazakhstan, archaeologists found evidence of the world\u2019s earliest horse domestication. They also found traces of horse milk on pottery.Kymyz also provided energy to nomadic warriors during wartime. Rich in vitamins and nutrients, kymyz is attracting scientific interest as researchers explore its potential benefits.Gaukhar Konuspayeva, a professor of food biotechnology, has spent the past 26 years studying camel and horse milk. She says there is still much more to learn about the potential of kymyz.\u201cAccording to our research, mare\u2019s milk is very rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B5 and B6. But what makes kymyz unique is its fatty acid composition and the presence of prebiotic bacteria,\u201d she added. \u00a0Kymyz was not forgotten during the Soviet era, when many of the peoples with a tradition of drinking it lived within the Soviet Union. Soviet state farms in the region kept hundreds of thousands of mares for their milk and dairy products, including kymyz.Inside the tradition of kymyz makingThere are different types of kymyz. Its taste depends not only on the region where the horse grazes and the grass it eats, but also on how the drink is prepared.Every farmer has their own recipe, but the freshest mare\u2019s milk, known as saumal, is considered the most valuable. You won\u2019t find it in supermarkets, as it stays fresh for only a few hours. To try it, you usually have to go to the countryside.In the village of Zhanaarka in the Ulytau Region, Aiman Kutzhanova showed us how she milks her mares. She works as a deputy principal at a local school and also raises horses with her husband.There is a traditional way of milking a mare. First, the foal is allowed to feed, and only then is the milk collected.Unlike cows, mares need to be milked every one to two hours, and they can produce only about a litre of milk a day.\u201cHorses are sacred animals. They choose the person who milks them. For example, my mares won\u2019t let anyone else milk them. Even if I come wearing different clothes, they won\u2019t let me milk them,\u201d says Aiman Kutzhanova.After milking, the milk should either be drunk fresh (saumal) or used to make kymyz. To prepare it, the milk is stirred in deep wooden vessels called \u2018kubi\u2019. The inside of the vessel is traditionally coated with butter before the milk is added.In the past, leather sacks filled with mare\u2019s milk were hung from the top of the yurt or attached to a saddle, allowing the milk to be shaken throughout the day.Today, there are also many different varieties of kymyz, including versions made with honey, smoked flavours, herbs and even horse meat.The celebration of mare milkingFor centuries, Kazakhs lived as nomads, moving between winter and summer pastures with their herds. The start of the mare-milking season coincided with the move to the summer pastures, where families would set up their yurts (portable homes used by nomadic families).The first milking of the season marked the beginning of a new season and was celebrated as a big event. The tradition is known as \u2018Kymyz Muryndyk\u2019, which refers to the first kymyz of the season.This tradition is still alive today. Festivals dedicated to Kymyz Muryndyk are held in two regions of Kazakhstan: Ulytau and Almaty, often far from the cities and close to the steppe.The celebrations bring together local families, farmers and visitors.The BaiKymyz festivalEvery year, Astana also hosts the BaiKymyz Festival, where producers compete to find the best kymyz. The festival brings together farmers and kymyz producers from across the country.The festival was created by Zhumazhan Kaltayev, who drew inspiration from Germany\u2019s Oktoberfest and adapted the idea to Kazakhstan, putting kymyz and nomadic culture at the heart of the event.\u201cI went to Oktoberfest in Munich in 2020. I saw that it was a family celebration, and I also saw how much it could contribute to the local economy. We didn\u2019t have anything like that in Kazakhstan,\u201d \u00a0Zhumazhan Kaltayev said.\u201cPeople really liked our festival because it is not just about the drink. It represents our national identity, our culture, our spirit and our history.\u201dThe competition is not only about taste. This year, producers also competed for the title of kymyz with the best nutritional composition, with experts examining the quality and characteristics of the drink.\u201cThe total prize fund this year is 45 million tenge. The main prize, the Grand Prix, is a car,\u201d Kaltayev added.The new life of kymyzIn Kazakhstan, the drink has become part of everyday life. You can now find bottled kymyz in supermarkets and order it in cafes and restaurants.For a drink with centuries of history, kymyz is finding surprisingly modern ways to reach a new generation.One of the latest trends is the rise of kymyz houses (kymyz-khana). Here, visitors can try different types of kymyz, including traditional varieties as well as versions made with honey, herbs and other ingredients.Kymyz is also reaching international markets. Dried mare\u2019s milk and other kymyz products are exported to countries such as China, Russia and Germany.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/culture\/2026\/09\/02\/how-horse-milk-kymyz-became-a-drink-still-in-demand-thousands-of-years-later&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/88\/63\/11\/1200x675_cmsv2_6e70ef63-a47b-50f3-91e0-87bdf5e16d16-9886311.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Malta jury clears businessman in Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case Europe News Spain in disarray over leaked reports about Morocco\u2019s role in Ceuta The Ring The surge of the far-right &#8211; who is to blame? 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