The festival of the first spring kymyz, Kymyzmuryndyk, was
celebrated in Kazakhstan. Dedicated to promoting national traditions and the fermented
dairy drink, the event brought together producers from 10 regions of the
country. They came to Astana to present the season’s first kymyz. Visitors had
the opportunity to sample the beverage in a variety of flavors, as each farmer
offered a unique recipe.
«Kymyz contains 37 nutrients. It helps treat tuberculosis,
improve hemoglobin levels, and provides the body with all the essential
vitamins. That’s what makes our kymyz so special. The first important moment is
drinking the foam right after milking, as that’s where most of the vitamins are
concentrated. The longer the kymyz ferments, the richer it becomes,» said kymyz
producer Anar Kurmanova.
«Kymyzmuryndyk is celebrated alongside major holidays such
as Nauryz and Sabantuy. It marks the first taste of the season - when mares
give birth to foals in May and June, allowing for increased production of kymyz.
People head to the zhailau, visit one another as is customary among Kazakhs, and,
with warmth and hospitality, share the drink,» noted festival organizer
Zhumazhan Kaltayev.
At the festival, visitors could sample not only kymyz but
also ice cream made from it and chocolate-covered kurt. According to the
organizers, the event’s goal is to promote the health benefits of this
traditional Kazakh drink. Kymyzmuryndyk also marks the beginning of a series of
events, including the large-scale summer gastronomic festival BaiQymyz, which
will take place in July in the capital. The country’s best kymyz producers and horse
breeders will gather to showcase the finest dishes of Kazakh national cuisine.
«We will bring kymyz from all regions of Kazakhstan, the
entire country will take part. We are currently developing ethno- and gastronomic
tourism. Our goal is for people to fly in from France, Italy, Germany, and
Australia specifically to try kymyz, because this product is the living
strength of our people,» said ethnographer Aigerim Mussagazhinova.
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