Chal: a new fashion for a traditional drink
Chal - a traditional Turkmen drink made from camel milk has recently become very popular among citizens (it did not disappear from the life of the villagers). Apparently the increased demand for this extremely useful product is dictated by a general trend - attention to a healthy diet. Moreover, attention is focused on domestic products, because the credibility of our producers is growing against the backdrop of global environmental excesses, information hype around GMO and other “overexposure” in the world food market.
“A person is born in the place he's fitted for,” this truth finds a new reading in a culinary way. Local products have long been considered better, than imported; this concerns, first of all, agricultural products, vegetables and fruits. Environmental friendliness, “naturalness” became their main advantage. According to these criteria, our products of this group are recognized at the international level, which is confirmed by the awards of various agricultural exhibitions and fairs with the participation of manufacturers from dozens of countries. Turkmenistan does not only successfully replace imports, but also develops export directions in this sphere.
At the same time, attention to traditional, proven recipes for healthy food is growing in the society. Something was undeservedly forgotten, and today, not without the help of marketers, is reborn in a new quality. One of the latest findings was the “candy of health” - such a rebranding helped to sweep away from the shelves the Turkmen cheese balls “kurt”, wrapped in an attractive package, which are something between dried cottage cheese and young cheese.
The use of this sour-milk product, irreplaceable in antiquity for shepherds and travelers crossing the waterless Kara Kum in the blazing sun, is a combination of minerals and vitamins. It protects against dehydration, restores the intestinal microflora, strengthens the immune system and bone tissue, rejuvenates, it is easily absorbed by the body, energetically moist and nutritious.
Another product that came to us from the depths of the centuries is chal.
Chal is produced by fermenting the camel's milk in a natural way (without sowing fungal cultures) at high temperature.
A ripening is about four hours (when chal is added to the fresh camel milk), and after three hours the drink reaches its quintessence. Light frothiness gives a refreshing effect. It can not be stored for a long time, even in the refrigerator, - the healing properties will be lost, and so it is still a problem with transportation to long distances. But technology, including food technology, is developing so quickly that this product can also become export.
Why did chal deserve such close attention, despite its perishability, in contrast to the same yoghurt with a monthly shelf life?
First of all, chal has the balance of mineral and vitamin. Modern citizens appreciate it for low caloric content, the presence of calcium (strong bones, hair and teeth), magnesium (for the heart muscle), iron (blood formation), copper (hormone production, collagen), zinc (strong immunity and nervous system), etc.
Nutritionists recommend it to people with diabetes, with vitamin deficiencies, chronic gastritis, loss of strength, and long-term exposure of stress on the body. In general, it is a treatment for the full “bouquet” of health problems of the average resident of the megalopolis. So, the popularity of chal among the citizens is quite understandable.
Today, you can order the home delivery of this product from the “conveyor”, itmeans they will bring you chal, which isjust entering the peak of its biological activity.
There is no doubt about the quality and conscientiousness of the manufacturer: firstly, the rapidly developing market and growing competition in this traditional segment of livestock production put forward stringent requirements, and secondly, the slightest change in the taste and smell of the drink will give away all its “secrets”.
Fresh and ripe until its culmination, chal has a delicate aroma, light sparkling like champagne in a glass, a pleasant translucent consistency (you must first shake the container to a homogeneous liquid density).
Well, the main guarantee of quality lies in the fact that this is “author's product”- regular consumers know literally by the names and addresses of its producers, who value their brand and reputation very much.
By the way, the country's livestock producers responded to market demand by an increase in the total number of camels. It is felt not only in the private sector, but also in the state sector.
According to the State Statistics Committee, as of November 1, 2017, only by the enterprises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management of Turkmenistan, the total camel population was 15.42 thousand animals, having increased by more than 4% compared to the same period in 2016, withoverfulfillmentof plan targets.
Foreign specialists and investors are already interested in the healing properties of the Turkmen chal.
