May
01
2012
Sep
30
2012
May
01
2013
Sep
30
2013
May
01
2014
Sep
30
2014
May
01
2015
Sep
30
2015
May
01
2016
Sep
30
2016
Taste Airag in the Mongolian Steppe
Published on April 12, 2012 by Lydia Schrandt
Country: Mongolia 
The Experience
The horse has always been the most important animal for the Mongolian people, from the days when Genghis Khan led his horse warriors on a mission of conquest to today's nomadic families traveling across the rolling green steppe. In addition to providing a means of transportation, horses are a primary source of food. While families occasionally eat horse meat, the milk of the Mongolian horse is practically a food group all on its own.
Airag, the traditional beverage of Mongolia, is made by fermenting the milk of mares in an open leather sack or plastic container. After the milk has been left out, it gradually transforms from a basic yogurt-like beverage to an acidic and very sour beverage with an alcohol content comparable to wine. The fat and protein content of airag make it the perfect beverage for nomads living in a harsh climate where average winter temperatures dip well below freezing.
Mongolians are known for their warm hospitality, and as soon as you step into the white circular ger, or traditional Mongolian tent, you'll probably be offered a cup of airag in welcome. Despite the language and cultural barriers between a westerner and a Mongolian nomad, you quickly build a sense of camaraderie while sipping the sour liquid while sitting around the floor of the ger. Depending on the season, visitors in a nomad's home may get to sample the variety of snacks also made from the same mare's milk, including cheese and fried milk curds.
Airag is particularly popular come festival time, especially during the summer Nadaam festival. Downing a cup of airag when it's presented to you will not only impress your Mongolian hosts, but will assure you get poured another cup. Whether during a festival or out in the steppe, it's common to spend an evening passing around a cup of airag and swapping stories.
Airag, the traditional beverage of Mongolia, is made by fermenting the milk of mares in an open leather sack or plastic container. After the milk has been left out, it gradually transforms from a basic yogurt-like beverage to an acidic and very sour beverage with an alcohol content comparable to wine. The fat and protein content of airag make it the perfect beverage for nomads living in a harsh climate where average winter temperatures dip well below freezing.
Mongolians are known for their warm hospitality, and as soon as you step into the white circular ger, or traditional Mongolian tent, you'll probably be offered a cup of airag in welcome. Despite the language and cultural barriers between a westerner and a Mongolian nomad, you quickly build a sense of camaraderie while sipping the sour liquid while sitting around the floor of the ger. Depending on the season, visitors in a nomad's home may get to sample the variety of snacks also made from the same mare's milk, including cheese and fried milk curds.
Airag is particularly popular come festival time, especially during the summer Nadaam festival. Downing a cup of airag when it's presented to you will not only impress your Mongolian hosts, but will assure you get poured another cup. Whether during a festival or out in the steppe, it's common to spend an evening passing around a cup of airag and swapping stories.
When to Go to Airag Mongolia
The best time of year to taste traditional fermented mare's milk in Mongolia is during the summer months from May to September when the weather is warm and mild. The Mongolian summer festival takes place in early July, and if you find yourself in the capital city or one of the smaller provincial capitals, the airag is sure to be flowing.
While you can visit the Mongolian steppe in the winter (and winter tourism is on the rise), temperatures are extremely cold and tour operators are much more limited than during the peak summer season.
While you can visit the Mongolian steppe in the winter (and winter tourism is on the rise), temperatures are extremely cold and tour operators are much more limited than during the peak summer season.
Odds n' Ends
When you're invited into a Mongolian home and offered airag (or any other beverage), it is considered rude to turn it down. If you don't want to drink it, either touch your lips to the cup or dip your finger in the beverage and flick it toward the ceiling as an offering to the sky, then pass the cup back to the person who passed it to you. Should you down the contents in one swig, you'll quickly earn respect and a second helping, so be warned.
Never hold a cup or glass by the rim. Instead, hold it by the base in the palm of your hands. If you accidentally spill airag, milk, or another beverage, dip your finger in it and press it to your forehead.
When you enter a ger, avoid stepping on the threshold. Move around the ger in a clockwise direction. Women should avoid sitting with their legs crossed when inside a traditional ger.
Never hold a cup or glass by the rim. Instead, hold it by the base in the palm of your hands. If you accidentally spill airag, milk, or another beverage, dip your finger in it and press it to your forehead.
When you enter a ger, avoid stepping on the threshold. Move around the ger in a clockwise direction. Women should avoid sitting with their legs crossed when inside a traditional ger.
Want a Guide?
- Nomadic Expeditions
- All of us at Nomadic Expeditions have realized the common dream of exploring unspoiled and less-traveled places, and of visiting and learning from the diverse and wondrous cultures of the world. As a group of experienced adventurers, we are dedicated to becoming knowledgeable friends and guides to each traveler we assist, in the hopes of enabling each of our clients to achieve a dream of their own.
Recommended Places to Stay
- Three Camel Lodge
- Built in the heart of the Gobi according to environmentally and culturally sustainable development guidelines, the Three Camel Lodge offers a blend of adventure and sophistication, combining traditional style with superb service to create the ultimate expedition experience.
More Experiences Nearby
- Climb and Conquer the World's Longest Man Made Structure, The Great Wall of China
- The Great Wall of China spans an impressive 6,400km, and is not only the largest structure built by man in terms of surface but also in terms of mass. Beginning in the east from Shanhaiguan to Lop Nur in the West, this massive defense system cuts the southern edge of Inner Mongolia with stories of dynasties from long ago. It has been speculated that in order to build the Great Wall it took over 2 to 3 million Chinese people over the course of several centuries. Earlier parts of the Great Wall date back to 200BC, and the final sections ...295 miles away.
Books and DVDs
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Japanese 
,
Mandarin
,
Russian
are some of the languages spoken in Mongolia. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
Recent Tweets
Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "Airag mongolia":
