Awati Musalaisi

Awati Musalaisi

Awati Musalaisi is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　"Musalaisi" is a traditional Uyghur ethnic beverage rich in cultural heritage, regarded as the "living fossil" of ancient Western Region wine. It is a natural fruit wine brewed by local Uyghurs, differing from modern wines in both appearance and taste. Unlike modern wines, Musalaisi has a darker, cloudier color and a rustic, mellow flavor. The brewing process incorporates ingredients such as pigeon blood, deer antler, goji berries, saffron, and cistanche.

　　Years of research by medical professionals have confirmed that Musalaisi contains essential amino acids, vitamins, glucose, iron, selenium, and other nutrients beneficial to the human body. It offers various health benefits, including promoting blood circulation, reducing blood lipids, stimulating appetite, nourishing kidneys, and combating aging.

　　It is reported that the production and processing of Musalaisi in Awati County has a history of nearly a thousand years. The annual output of Musalaisi in the region exceeds one thousand tons, with over 120 production enterprises (or households), and the product is exported to major cities such as Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.

　　In February 2007, the brewing technique of Awati Musalaisi was included in the first batch of Xinjiang Autonomous Region-level intangible cultural heritage.

　　The grape-based beverage Musalaisi—also known as "Nanyou's grape drink"—is a cultural relic of the friendly exchanges between ancient Silk Road merchants and the Dolan tribe. Throughout millennia of historical change, the Dolan tribe from the headwaters of the Tarim River has mysteriously vanished, and the Silk Road has become a glorious chapter of past international trade. Yet the boiling, water-removal, and yeast-free fermentation techniques of Musalaisi have been passed down through generations by local communities, earning it the title of the "living fossil" of grape beverage brewing. Fortunately, as the "Hometown of Chinese Musalaisi," Xinjiang’s Awati County is fully committed to developing the Musalaisi industry to boost the local economy and establish itself as a culturally vibrant county.

　　Historical evidence shows that during the Han and Tang dynasties, Silk Road merchants traveling through the Western Regions were often given grape juice stored in gourds by locals. During their journeys, the juice would naturally ferment into a rich, mellow, and long-lasting drink with a pleasant taste and intoxicating effect—especially the red grape beverage from the Dolan tribe. The Dolan people refined the process of boiling, concentrating, and naturally fermenting the juice, storing the resulting drink in jars for guests. Initially known by many names, the beverage eventually became universally recognized by the Persian term "Musalaisi." In Arabic, "Musalaisi" means "one-third," referring to the method of boiling grape juice, reducing it by two-thirds, and keeping the remaining one-third essence to create this fine drink.

　　Awati County was historically part of the ancient Kingdom of Kucha and also the homeland of the mysterious Dolan tribe, whose history of brewing Musalaisi stretches back many centuries.

　　Made primarily from Awati red grapes and infused with ingredients such as deer antler, goji berries, saffron, cistanche, rose, cynomorium, and cloves, Musalaisi undergoes processes like pressing, boiling, and fermentation. It is rich in eighteen essential amino acids, over ten trace elements, and multiple vitamins. Its content of organic compounds such as quercetin, rutin, and catechin surpasses that of similar products. Musalaisi can calm the mind, improve sleep, protect kidneys and liver, promote blood circulation, warm meridians and dispel cold, reduce blood lipids and blood pressure, nourish the stomach, combat oxidation and aging, and enhance vitality. It is believed to alleviate conditions such as back and leg pain, kidney deficiency, arthritis, physical weakness, stomach cold, cold extremities, and night sweats. Local Uyghurs call it "Dola," meaning "medicinal wine" or "health wine" in Chinese.

　　Awati County lies at the heart of Dolan culture, where almost every household brews Musalaisi using traditional methods. Brewers infuse their own life essence and personality into this ancient and mystical drink, resulting in unique variations from person to person. Each brewer’s technique and flavor profile are one-of-a-kind. Recognized as part of Xinjiang’s first batch of Autonomous Region-level intangible cultural heritage, Musalaisi carries the profound legacy of Dolan culture.