The food of the Nomad

The Kazakhs’ traditional diet depended on their basic economic activities: herding and arable farming, and consisted almost exclusively of what they produced themselves: milk, meat, grains and other plants. In many respects this dietary pattern is still followed by the Kazakhs of today.

They consume a great variety and quantity of dairy food. All possible types of yoghurt and sour-cream products are made from the milk of sheep, goats and cows, as well as many kinds of dried cheese, which can be preserved for a long time and are highly calorific. There are also sweetmeats made of milk beverages to which millet, wheat or rice are added. Mare’s milk, koumiss, specially prepared in a wooden bowl, is highly valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties. In the same way a drink called shubat is made from camel’s milk. Today, these beverages are used effectively in the treatment of various illnesses in modern medical institutions.

Meat also figured largely in the nomad’s diet. There was a plentiful supply from domesticated animals: sheep, goats, camels and large horned cattle, and also from wild sheep, elik (hornless small deer), steppe antelope and other animals caught by hunting. A special place in the Kazakh cuisine belongs today, as it did in the past, to horse sausage and various other delicacies are made. Horse meat, smoked and dried, is usually prepared for the winter. Fish is also eaten. In the southern regions there is a higher consumption of fruit and vegetables.

A great variety of dishes and many types of bread are made from cereals, particularly wheat, millet and rice. Grain is first boiled, then roasted and crushed in a mortar, after which creamy butter and sugar are added. These and various milk-based sweets take the place of other types of confectionery.

One of the favorite drinks of the Kazakhs is tea. The black varieties are drunk with or without milk. In the southern regions green tea is popular. In the past the Kazakhs had no alcoholic beverages.

The cuisine of the modern Kazakh is much more varied, since it has assimilated the traditions of many peoples. Certain Kazakh national dishes are now prepared only for holidays or special celebrations.

Why diets differ around the world (part 1)

The kinds of food that people eat vary from one country to another and even within countries. In some countries, for example, the people eat much meat. In some other countries, meat is served only on special occasions. People who are vegetarians eat no meat at all. Many people like certain foods that other people find very unappetizing. The Chinese use the nests of birds called swifts to make bird’s-nest soup. The birds build the nests with their saliva.

People of various cultures also prepare foods differently. In many cases, the fuel resources and cooking equipment available determine how foods are prepared. Thus, some people cook foods over an open fire. Others may use a microwave oven. Still others may eat most of their foods raw. Some people add fiery spices to their dishes. Others prefer little seasoning. Some people eat natural or unprocessed foods. Others eat foods that have been highly processed.

Diets differ for a number of reasons, including geographic reasons, economic reasons, religious reasons and customs. But differences in diet are not as great as they once were. The growth of tourism and the development of modern transportation and communication systems have led to an exchange of foods and eating habits among people throughout the world.

Geographic reasons. The location, climate, and physical features of a region help determine what the people of that region eat. In general, people who live on islands or along seacoasts depend heavily on foods from the ocean. People who live far from the sea rely mainly on livestock or grains for food. People of tropical areas can grow a variety of fruits and vegetables the year around. People who live in cool regions, which have a short growing season, depend on such crops as grains or potatoes. Terrain and soil also help determine what crops the people of a region can grow. For example, corn grows best on level, open fields with rich, well-drained soil. Rice grows in lowlands areas where the soil holds water well.

Although geography still strongly influences what people in many parts of the world eat, its importance has declined – especially in industrial countries. The development of faster transportation and of modern methods of food preservation enables many people to eat foods produced in distant lands. For example, people in numerous countries enjoy bananas from Ecuador, olives and oranges from Spain, dairy products from New Zealand, and sardines from Norway. In addition, many farmers have learned how to grow crops in unfavorable areas.

Why diets differ around the world (part 2)

Economic reasons. The variety and amount of food that people have to eat depend largely on their country’s economy. But even in the richest countries, some people cannot afford a good diet. Others simply choose to eat foods that are not nourishing. But some people in the poorest countries have a well-balanced diet.

Most developed countries can produce all the food their people need, or the countries can afford to import the extra necessary supplies. The farmers use modern machinery and scientific methods to increase their production. Developed countries also have modern facilities to process, transport, and store food.

In highly developed countries, most families can afford to buy a variety of foods, and they are more likely to have a well-balanced diet. Their diet is rich in meat, eggs, and dairy products. They also eat large amounts of grain products and of fresh and preserved fruits and vegetables. They also enjoy the convenience of prepared or ready-to-cook food at home.

Most developing countries seldom produce enough food for all their people. In addition, the countries cannot import the extra supplies they need. Many farmers are too poor to buy fertilizers, machinery, and other materials that would increase their output. Developing countries also lack modern facilities for processing, transporting, and storing food.

In some developing nations, many people suffer from an inadequate diet. They also too poor to buy all the food they need or a wide variety of foods. Millions of families depend on the foods they can produce themselves on small plots of lands. Grains and other carbohydrates are the main foods of the majority of people in most developing countries. These foods are the least costly to produce or buy, and they require no refrigeration or other special storage. Meat, milk, and eggs are too expensive for most people. Many families bake their own bread and make most other foods from the basic ingredients. They might even grind grain into flour to make bread.

Religious reasons. Many religions have rules that deal with food. Some religions do not permit their members to eat certain foods. Hindus do not eat beef because cattle are considered sacred. Some groups of Hindus are forbidden to eat any meat. Orthodox Jews do not eat pork, shellfish, and certain other foods. They also follow strict dietary laws regarding the storing, preparing and serving of food.

Some religions set aside certain days for fasting and feasting. Muslims may not eat or drink from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. They celebrate Ramadan’s end with a feast.