Kumys, also called kumiss or koumiss, is a traditional fermented beverage product made from mare’s milk. The drink is still considered important for the tribes of the Central Asian region. In addition to its unique taste, kumys also has many health benefits. Although the raw material is milk, the fermentation process that occurs produces alcohol as a byproduct. How is it halal?
The people of Central Asia have consumed Kumys for thousands of years. However, there is no definite record of the origin of this drink. Several sources state that Kumys was first made by the nomadic tribe of Skifia, who lived in the regions of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile, the Roman historian, Herodotus, mentioned that kumys was also consumed by nomadic tribes in Mongolia.
As time progressed, kumys also became a popular drink in Russian society in the 19th century. Many health experts in Russia promote kumys as a healthy drink and suitable for use as a treatment. In fact, the Russian Scientific Research Center has recognized kumys as a drink that has health benefits.
Kumys has many health benefits, especially because it is rich in nutrients contained in it. As a natural probiotic drink, kumys helps maintain the balance of good bacteria in the digestive system and strengthens the immune system. This is because the lactic acid bacteria contained in kumys can help break down nutrients and increase nutrient absorption in the body.
What is the law regarding drinking kumys?
Basically, kumys is only made from horse milk as the main ingredient. However, if traced from the way it is made, there are critical points of halalness in kumys. What are the essential points?
According to the Manager of Halal Auditor Management LPPOM, Ade Suherman, S.Si., the making of kumys begins by mixing fresh horse milk with lactic acid bacteria starter. The milk that has been combined with this starter is then left to ferment for several days. The fermentation process allows lactic acid bacteria to convert lactose (sugar in milk) into lactic acid. In modern kumys production, the making of this lactic acid starter can use microbiological media. The goal is to standardize the results and ensure high productivity.
The critical point of microbiological media lies in the source of nitrogen for bacterial growth nutrients, which can come from meat extract, meat hydrolysis peptone, and other ingredients. This meat needs to be traced to whether it comes from halal animals slaughtered according to Islamic law or from animals that are forbidden.
Kumys has a sour taste typical of fermented products, with a lower carbohydrate (lactose) content because bacteria have utilized it. Kumys can contain ethanol exceeding the 0.5% limit, according to the MUI fatwa. In the Fatwa of the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) No. 10 of 2018 concerning Food and Beverage Products Containing Alcohol/Ethanol, it states that fermented beverage products containing alcohol/ethanol of less than 0.5% are halal, as long as the process does not use forbidden ingredients and if it is not medically dangerous. For this reason, it is necessary to control ethanol production, including through temperature control, sugar control and the length of the fermentation process.
Furthermore, there is the addition of whey which can come from cheese or butter. This ingredient is susceptible to the use of enzymes, such as rennet and pepsin. Both can come from pigs, although not all of these products come from pigs. Whey can also come from milk acidification and coagulation, so the acid used can be critical if it is made from microbial products such as citric acid.
In addition, after becoming Kumys, there is an opportunity to add other ingredients, such as flavourings. Looking at the ingredients and the process, it can be said that flavourings and colourings have a composition that contains fat derivatives, both from animals and plants. If from animals, then it must be ensured that it comes from halal animals that are slaughtered according to Islamic law.
Referring to the Provisions of the Minister of Religion (KMA) Number 748 of 2021, kumys is one of the products that must be halal certified (types of milk products and their analogues part 1.1). This product is one of the types of products that has a deadline for halal certification obligations until October 17, 2024 according to Government Regulation No. 39 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Halal Product Assurance.
Check out various programs and the latest information related to LPPOM MUI and halal certification can be accessed through the website www.halalmui.org or social media LPPOM MUI / @lppom_mui. Business actors who are interested in conducting halal certification and accessing various services related to LPPOM MUI, including laboratory tests, can access the hotline at 14056, WhatsApp +62811-1148-696 and the website https://halalmui.org/pengenalan-sertifikasi-halal/ (ZUL).
