Arkhi
Arkhi (Mongolian: Архи, ᠠᠷᠢᠬᠢ, sometimes translated as vodka) is a liquor made from airag, fermented milk brandy, or isgelen tarag (Mongolian: исгэлэн тараг, ᠢᠰᠬᠦᠯᠡᠩ
ᠲᠠᠷᠠᠭ, or kefir)[1] which then gets distilled. Isgelen tarag often uses the milk of a mare, donkeys, sheep, cows, the yak, camels[2] (either shubat or khormog (ингэний хормог, Ingenii khormog) or of reindeer (pinna), based on local access.[3] It is a beverage with a special status in Mongolia and Inner Mongolia.
 |
Look up архи or Arkhi in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
| Type | Milk brandy, distilled from kefir[1] |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Mongolia |
| Alcohol by volume | 10% max, depending on distillation cycle[1] |
| Colour | Clear-white |
| Ingredients | Milk |
| Variants | Airag, kefir |
It is often reserved for the family and never sold in Mongolia, slowly being replaced by vodka, recognised just as well under the name of arkhi.[4]
In and around Inner Mongolia, it is produced and sold often; in fact, it is industrially manufactured in locations such as Chifeng.
References
- Mongol Arkhi - Монгол Архи. mongolfood.info.
- Klein-lecat & Le Jaquen 1979, p. 181.
- "Le koumys, koumis ou aïrag". cfaitmaison.com.
- Ruhlmann 2006, pp. 111–113, 217.