The food traditions, preparation and etiquette of any nation are a big part of the country’s culture. The knowledge and manners of preparing and consuming food and drinks of any nation are closely related to the land, natural and climatic conditions, the main occupation, religion, and culture of that society. For our country, which has four seasons of the year, extreme climate, and a vast area, mainly engaged in pastoralism, it has created a very unique culture and skill in preparing and consuming food and beverages. Since Mongolians’ main means of livelihood is animal husbandry, their milk and meat are the main raw materials for food and drink. Many years ago, our ancestors were using various fruits and berries that are grown in Mongolia, mushrooms, nuts, wild onions, Allium senescens, chives, leek, aniseed, plums, wheat flour and flower of lilium pumilum. Therefore, there was no history of malnutrition. Those ancient people were far from obesity, which is a form of nutritional deficiency. Also, in addition to enjoying the fruits of nature, they were also blessed with a meat of deer, fish, and poultry. In addition to eating according to the year and season, they also ate according to gender, age, physical characteristics, metabolism, and caloric energy accumulation. Mongolian cuisine can be divided into five categories: “White” or milk products (diaries), “Red” or meat products, “Green” or vegetable products, “Yellow” or oily products, and “Black” or alcoholic beverage and water. From the time when the trees start blooming and vegetables start to grow, Mongolians switch to the “white” or dairy food and drink regime, eating and drinking yogurt, cheese, curds,milk cream ,fermented milk etc. It is also used in combination with “Green” products such as barley, wheat, and small rice. This regime of “white” food and drink lasted from mid-spring to mid-autumn, or until the first snow fell in the mountains during the warm season. Depending on the region of Khangai, steppe, or Gobi, it lasted for almost 4-6 months. “Green and herbal products are used in autumn. For example, when the seeds and root crops ripen evenly, various fruits and berries such as strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, gooseberries, blackberries, gooseberries, mushrooms, nuts, onions are widely used in the food. The root stock will not be taken expecting it to grow next year again. During the cold season of 81 days in winter, “Red meat and “Yellow” or oily products are used. For example beef has the same nutrients and heat and its quality is perfect for storage in the spring, horse meat is high in quality and calorific value, and is easy to digest, so in the cold winter months, lamb is eaten in the fall because its nutrients and caloric quality are more adjustable in autumn.
Our people prioritize drinking water as “Mother” of life, and passed this teaching on to their descendants. The vital importance and value of water has been understood since long ago. In winter, after dinner, Mongolians used to dilute curd with water, enrich it with yellow and white oil, sugar, and yellow and white rice, or drink strong tea with yellow and white oil and nuts. It is considered to be a very suitable way to improve the digestion of meat and fatty foods. Mongolians have long known that green tea has a very pleasant effect on digestion. Therefore, celebrations, weddings, feasts, and honor dinners start and end with tea, just like regular meals. Mongolian folklore occupies a large space in the cultural space of Mongolia. From time to time, after dinner, Mongolians used to gather together in their villages, tell stories, solve epics, solve riddles, and play chess, checkers, and anklets. Or the younger ones taught their children how to write and sew, and taught them how to tie a straw halter and had fun for 3-4 hours. The reason for this was because he used to digest his food, fill his soul with joy. At last Mongolians have a very wide culture of food and beverages, they have elaborate recipes, they eat their food according to their “energy regime”, they process and digest food wonderfully in their own way of life.
