Kazakh Beverages

Kazakh Beverages: Basic Overview

Common Ingredients

Tea, milk, yogurt, fruits

Common Preparing Methods

Brewing, blending, fermenting

Key Taste

Sour, salty, savory

Drinking Etiquette

Tea is often served half-filled in cups to guests. Refusing a drink can be seen as impolite

Culinary Festivals

Nauryz – Kazakh New Year

Influence and Fusion

Influences from Russian and Silk Road trade (e.g., tea culture, vodka). Dairy-based beverages reflect nomadic heritage.

Kazakh Beverages: Origin and Region

Cuisine

Kazakhstan

Culinary Region

Central Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Types of Kazakh Beverages

• Hot Non-alcoholic

  

  A woman is scooping kompot into a glass.

  

  Tea served in two cups.

  

  Cups of black tea on carpet in Kazakhstan.

  These are served warm.

  Tea is a key drink in the country, which is sometime mixed with milk or cream.

• Cold Non-alcoholic

  

  Flavorful chalap in a bowl with herb garnish.

  

  A glass of ayran.

  

  A small bowl of chal, fermented camel milk.

  

  Fermented milk kumis in plastic bottles.

  They are usually dairy-based and served cold.

• Fermented Alcoholic

  

  A bottle of Kazakh wine.

  

  Kazakh white wine made from grapes.

  

  Kazakh red wine being poured into a glass.

  Wine production in Kazakhstan dates back to the 7th century.

  Modern Kazakh wines are gaining global attention for their quality.

Kazakh Beverages: Signature Dishes and Beverages

• Most Popular Beverages

  

  Kumis

  

  Kumis is a fermented beverage made from mare milk in Mongolia and Central Asia.

  

  Ayran

  

  Ayran is a Turkish cold drink made from yogurt, water, and salt.

  

  Tea in Central Asia

  

  Tea in Central Asia is a respected hospitality symbol, traditionally served in a “piala,” with regionally varied preferences in types.

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  They are widely consumed across Kazakhstan and play an important role in locals’ daily lives and social gatherings.

• National Beverage

  

  Kumis

  

  Kumis is a fermented beverage made from mare milk in Mongolia and Central Asia.

  It represents Kazakhstan’s nomadic legacy is associated with national identity.

• Traditional Beverages

  

  Chal

  

  Chal is a Central Asian beverage made by fermenting camel milk.

  

  Kazakh Wine

  

  Kazakh wine refers to wine in Kazakhstan.

  

  Chalap

  

  Chalap is a traditional drink made from local yogurt in Central Asia.

  1 more Show Less

  They have historical and traditional importance in the country.

  They often appear during cultural events and festivals.

• Street Beverages

  

  Ayran

  

  Ayran is a Turkish cold drink made from yogurt, water, and salt.

  They are popular options for quick refreshment and are sold at street stalls or markets.

Kazakh beverages are drinks that people in Kazakhstan enjoy alone or paired with main dishes, snacks, and desserts in local cuisine.

Many traditional Kazakh drinks are made from fermented dairy products, so they are mainly sour or savory in flavor. These drinks are typically non-alcoholic and are enjoyed cold.

Nevertheless, there are also a few drinks that deviate from those norms in Kazakhstan. You can find a few fruit-based and alcoholic beverages here.

Kazakh drinks are usually gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly but not necessarily suitable for vegans.

Continue reading to learn more fascinating facts about drinks in Kazakhstan, I will start with the country’s national drink and beverage development.

Next, you can discover how to serve traditional Kazakh beverages at meals, what drinking customs to follow, and some food pairing options with these refreshments.

Scroll down to explore everything about Kazakh beverages! While reading, make sure to use the filter or click on the delights for more insights.

7 Most Popular Kazakh Beverages with Filters

Kazakh Beverage Images

What Is Kazakh National Drink?

While Kazakhstan doesn’t have an officially recognized national drink, many people consider kumis (known locally as qymyz) worthy of this status.

Kumis is a fermented dairy beverage made from mare milk or donkey milk (in the traditional version), or cow milk (in many modern products).

Often consumed cold, kumis has a uniquely tangy flavor mixed with pungent notes and a low alcohol content ranging from 0.7% to 2.5%.

Kumis dates back to the 5th century and represents Kazakhstan’s nomadic legacy, a major factor that shapes the country’s beverage scene.

What Factors Shape the Development of Beverages in Kazakhstan?

The 4 following factors play an important role in the evolution of Kazakh drinks.

Nomadic Heritage

The nomadic lifestyle of Kazakh ancestors was heavily reliant on animal products, making dairy beverages vital in the country.

Many popular Kazakh drinks are prepared from fermented milk, such as kumis, ayran, chalap, and chal (locally known as shubat).

These drinks are nutritious and have a long shelf life, which was historically essential for nomadic people.

Kazakh drinks of nomadic origin also represent the distinctness of local beverages by using ingredients not widely used elsewhere, such as mare milk (in kumis) or camel milk (in chal).

Tea Culture

Tea is a central element of Kazakh hospitality and social life, often served to guests and during meals.

Kazakhstan’s tea culture reflects the fusion of neighboring cuisines. Tea came to the country from China via the Silk Road trade, but the local tea-drinking practice is highly similar to the Russian way.

In Kazakhstan, people typically consume strong black tea mixed with milk or cream, with sweets or traditional pastries on the side.

To show respect for guests, the host only pours a small amount of tea into their cups and refills when necessary so that the tea is always hot.

Wine Making Tradition

Wine was produced in Kazakhstan as early as the 7th century, but this tradition was eventually discontinued due to many reasons.

After a period of revival during the Soviet era, Kazakh wine is now attracting global attention with high-quality vintages.

Russian Influence

Russian cuisine has introduced new beverage types to Kazakhstan, such as kompot and vodka. Russia is also a large market for certain Kazakh drinks, such as wine.

Next, let’s explore how Kazakhs serve traditional beverages in festive settings.

How Are Traditional Beverages Served in a Typical Kazakh Meal?

• Kazakhs are famously hospitable and often entertain guests with delicious dishes and drinks. Here are a few interesting things about how they serve their traditional beverages.
• Traditional meals often take place on a dastarkhan (low table) or on the ground.
• Locals often precede the meal with a friendly conversation, during which drinks and snacks are served.
• Dairy-based drinks, such as kumis or chal, are offered first and followed by black tea.
• Kazakhs usually serve tea in ornate teapots and cups, especially a piyāla/ piala (ceramic drinking bowl).
• Besides milk, the tea can be flavored with sugar, lemon juice, melted butter, or spices.
• Common snacks are dried fruits, bauyrsaq (boortsog), kashk (dried yogurt), or samsa.
• Tea can be served throughout the meal with the main dishes. Sometimes, locals conclude the meal with extra servings of tea or kumis.

Although most traditional drinks in Kazakh cuisine don’t contain alcohol, alcoholic beverages still have a large presence in the country. Read on to discover local customs with both types of drinks.

What Are the Drinking Customs in Kazakhstan?

Below is a breakdown of how people in Kazakhstan enjoy both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Consumption of Vodka

Despite Islamic restrictions on alcohol consumption, vodka is fairly popular in Kazakhstan. Drinking vodka is a communal activity that helps strengthen friendships and build trust.

Toasting

Toasting is an important part of the drinking culture in Kazakhstan. A toastmaster, or “tamada,” is designated to lead toasts during a gathering. Toasts can be lengthy and elaborate and touch on many themes.

No Beverage Refusal

Offering a drink is a sign of hospitality and respect, and refusing it can be seen as impolite, although non-drinkers are generally offered non-alcoholic alternatives.

Even if guests can’t stand drinks that have an acquired taste, such as kumis or chal, they should still enjoy a small sip to please the host.

Tea Culture

In Kazakhstan, a cup of tea is often only half filled. Pouring more tea than that can be interpreted as the host wanting the guest to leave early.

Turn your cup upside-down when you don’t want more tea.

Check out the food pairing options to learn more about other aspects of beverages in Kazakhstan.

What Foods Are Paired with Kazakh Beverages?

In Kazakhstan, drinks go well with a diverse range of food, making them an important part of the country’s culture. Here are some of the popular combos to have with drinks:

Next, explore amazing information relating to refreshments in Kazakhstan through some inquiries from readers.

FAQs