In cold weather, sometimes down to minus 60 degrees Celsius, the people of Oymyakon, Nɡа, use nutritious foods to help them cope with the harsh environment.
Oymyakon is the coldest inhabited place on Earth. In winter, the temperature here sometimes drops to minus 60 degrees Celsius. In the harsh conditions, local people have found a way to compromise with nature. They use clean air and water combined with an active lifestyle and healthy food. (Photo: Pinterest).
People in Oymyakon don’t usually eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. Because of the harsh climate, not many fruits or vegetables can grow in the town. Instead, people eat certain types of berries, leafy plants and vegetables that grow in the wild. Their main diet is fish, meat and dairy products. They make up for the lack of fruit by collecting wild berries. (Image: WordPress).
Most of the ingredients are not available here because they are brought from elsewhere. Meat comes from animals such as horses, reindeer, deer, rabbits… hunted. The only source of calcium and many other important micronutrients comes from deer milk . This dish helps the locals to stay in shape. (Photo: Teh Hanlin).
According to locals, they have never been sick in their lives. They believe the cause lies in two local dairy products hayak and kyorchekh . (Photo: Teh Hanlin).
Hayak has a rich flavor and color. The recipe for kyorchekh is similar to how ice cream is made. Accordingly, fresh cow’s milk is whipped with berries, partially frozen into cakes. These dishes cannot be processed nor exported to southern cities. They exist only as a part of northern life.
Carp are the most commonly eaten fish. The fish is cooked, fried in a pan or grilled over a fire. The most famous dish here is stroganina, a kind of sashimi with frozen slices of river fish and usually eaten in winter, served with vodka. (Photo: The Sun).
Stroganina is made from sturgeon, arctic white trout and coregonus nasus fish caught under the ice. These fish contain Omega-3 acids that are good for the heart and slow down the aging process. (Photo: Pinterest).
People live by raising horses (usually Yakut horses), reindeer, hunting fish, trading and working in heat-generating factories. Frozen fish is Oymyakon’s specialty. When brought out of the water, the fish almost immediately froze. The cold air ensures that the fish stays frozen and fresh until sold. (Photo: SteemKR).