What is the best breakfast in Uyghur traditional cuisines:
By Tahir Imin Uyghurian
Over thousands of years of a nomadic lifestyle and influenced by the Hala diet adopted since the 10th century, the Uyghur people, residing in the region surrounded by the tropical climate of Teklimakan and Tarim, have cultivated distinctive cuisines and dishes. These culinary traditions embody the four elements emphasized in Uyghur traditional medicine: taste, color, nutrition, and originality (naturality).
The Uyghur people hold a profound reverence for food, having cultivated their own distinctive cuisine and palate over the course of history. Beyond the inherent nutritional value and flavor profiles of their dishes, Uyghur culture regards culinary arts as an integral aspect of artistic expression, where individuals fearlessly evaluate their way of life based on their culinary skills and discerning taste.
In Uyghur traditional medicine, breakfast holds significant importance as one of the key determinants of overall health. Consequently, it is advised to create breakfast options that are both delectable and nutritious, recognizing the critical role they play in promoting well-being.
There are two commonly enjoyed types of breakfast that can be advised:
One: general breakfast
A traditional Uyghur-style breakfast might consist of nan, eggs and milk tea, which might be topped with jams or honey and eaten with raisins, walnuts, and other nuts. Guests are greeted with tea, nan, pastries, and fruits before the main dishes are ready. Foods that are oily, heavy, excessively sweet, or high in sugar are not recommended.
Special breakfast:Umach
Umach is one of the most common Uyghur foods for breakfast in the south and north.
It is usually made from cornmeal and has no additional ingredients except for salt and onion.
In the traditional Umach preparation method, wheat flour is first kneaded into a very firm dough, which is then cut into small pieces. Next, a soup is prepared, and vegetables like mutton, tomato, and yam are added to it. Umach soup is commonly served to the elderly, children, and sick individuals, and it is also frequently offered to guests during meditation sessions as a gesture of hospitality.
Umach has many types: Kawa Umichi (Pumpkin Umach) is one of them.