Akse Kumis

Akse Kumis

　　Akse Kumis is a specialty of Akse County in Jiuquan City, Gansu Province. Kumis is made by fermenting processed horse milk. At first glance, it looks no different from cow’s or goat’s milk, but it has a strong, rich aroma.

　　Kumis is served to welcome guests from afar. If you’re visiting a summer pasture for the first time and suddenly come across a Kazakh yurt, you can almost smell the fragrant kumis.

　　Kumis is considered the finest drink among the Kazakh people. Every summer, the air inside the yurts on the pastures is filled with the delicate aroma of kumis. The hospitable Kazakh women not only prepare kumis daily for their family members returning from work, but also often serve high-quality kumis to guests from afar. If you’re visiting a summer pasture for the first time and suddenly come across a Kazakh yurt, you can almost smell the fragrant kumis.

　　Kazakhs of all ages, regardless of gender, have a strong interest in kumis. In summer, drinking kumis not only quenches thirst but can also alleviate hunger. Under the right conditions, drinking it regularly over the summer can even help treat mild gastrointestinal issues and other chronic ailments.

　　Kumis is made by fermenting processed horse milk. At first glance, it looks no different from cow’s or goat’s milk, but it has a strong, rich aroma. Therefore, those familiar with it can tell it apart just by the smell. The period from the end of June to the end of September is referred to by the Kazakhs as the “golden season.” This is the peak time for making kumis. Women pour freshly milked horse milk into wooden or leather barrels and stir it up and down using a special tool to raise the temperature and speed up fermentation. In this way, kumis is produced.

　　Those who haven’t tried this drink before may not know its potency and can easily get drunk. Especially for first-timers, it’s best not to drink too quickly. Even veteran Kazakh herders sip and savor it slowly while chatting. In this way, Kazakh herders can judge your strength not only by how you eat their hand-pulled lamb, but also by how you drink kumis.

　　The Kazakh people drink kumis not only during traditional festivals, but nowadays, as their living standards improve, they drink it with almost every meal. — Kumis has become an important part of their beverage culture.