Tea instead of lunch is not a new-fangled diet, but a very satisfying dish. Of course, if we are talking about Kalmyk tea. A bowl of this unusual drink in combination with a slice of homemade bread will satisfy your hunger for a long time, although some fastidious natures can discourage your appetite. But Kalmyks drink their favorite tea with pleasure, and on May 17 they do it with special pride, celebrating the Day of Kalmyk Tea.
From China, with love
As soon as it is not called-Kalmyk, Mongolian, Karym, Kyrgyz, tile tea, djomba. Only the specific taste remains unchanged, which is impossible to confuse with anything.
It is noteworthy that the Kalmyks themselves have nothing to do with the creation of Kalmyk tea. Rather, they inherited it. The fact is that the ancient Mongol tribes, traveling to different lands, came into contact with many peoples, including the Chinese. They borrowed a recipe for traditional green tea from them. Having decided to make it a national highlight, the nomads added milk, melted lamb fat and salt and pepper to the tea infusion. The Mongols shared their invention with other peoples of Central Asia. That’s when the Kalmyks learned about it, giving the tea its name and proclaiming it the main drink for many centuries.
A more elevated version of the appearance of Kalmyk tea is offered by ancient legends. One of the most famous says that the drink appeared thanks to the Tibetan scientist and preacher Tsongkhave. Once the sage was struck by an unknown ailment, and in search of a cure, he turned to a famous healer. After a little reflection, he prescribed a certain “divine” drink to the scientist, advising him to use it seven days in a row immediately after waking up. At the end of the allotted time, Tsonghawa found that there was no trace of the disease left. Inspired by the healing, he ordered to prepare a wonderful drink everywhere, on weekdays and holidays. Since then, Kalmyk tea has become one of the most revered drinks among many Asian peoples.
According to the recipes of ancient nomads
What is so unusual about Kalmyk tea? First of all, it is prepared from large tea leaves left after the main harvest. They are in no case subjected to fermentation, so the infusion gets a characteristic tart taste with a bright bitterness. Tea leaves are necessarily pressed into dense tiles. This was done by nomads to make it easier to carry the raw materials for their favorite drink with them on campaigns.
In ancient times, to achieve a peculiar taste allowed a special cooking technology, which often shocks the modern man in the street. The tea leaves were not brewed, but boiled in milk until it was half-evaporated, after which they were infused for another whole night. According to its properties, this drink resembled a good chifir and had a super-invigorating effect. Milk for tea was taken very different – cow, goat, sheep. And yet the most delicious tea, according to the nomads, was obtained from camel or mare’s milk.
As a” dressing”, melted fat was most often used. Some ancient Mongol tribes preferred to add to the drink well-toasted pieces of kurdyuk or bone marrow of a young lamb. The invariable ingredients were and still are salt and black pepper.
The general impression of those who first tasted Kalmyk tea was expressed without embellishment by Pushkin, who once wrote in his diary: “I do not think that the cuisine of any people could produce anything worse.” But the Kalmyks themselves are sure that anyone who once tries real Kalmyk tea will never be able to do without it.
Elixir of Health
Perhaps the ancient nomads were not connoisseurs of refined taste, but they knew a lot about the healing properties of food. Kalmyk tea was indispensable in long campaigns, as it filled the soldiers with cheerfulness and gave them strength. This drink is still famous for its medicinal properties. It is good in the fight against colds, helps to improve metabolism and weight loss, improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system, and also helps to beat a hangover. A cup of Kalmyk tea in the morning will cheer you up better than the strongest coffee, and in the evening it will relieve fatigue. In addition, the drink is recommended for diabetics, because it regulates the level of sugar in the blood.
To experience the full benefits of Kalmyk tea for yourself, it is not necessary to resort to ancient extreme recipes. The modern adapted version has largely preserved the centuries-old traditions. 200-300 gr. tile tea should be crushed, pour cold water and cook over medium heat until boiling. Then reduce the heat and boil the broth for another 15-20 minutes. Next, add the preheated cream, a few peas of black pepper, nutmeg or cloves. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and cook for another 5 minutes. At the end, pour a couple of teaspoons of salt and throw a piece of butter. Now you need to let the tea brew under a closed lid for 15-20 minutes. After that, you can pour the drink into bowls and join the Kalmyk culture.
If one day you happen to visit someone in Kalmykia during a morning tea party, you know, this sign promises happiness and good luck. At least, a warm and welcoming welcome is definitely provided for you. And the Kalmyks sincerely believe in the ancient wisdom – if you drink tea in the morning, all things will be fulfilled.