Modern Innovations Revive Inner Mongolia's Historic Dairy Traditions

In Hohhot, the Haan Idee Dairy Food Factory revolutionizes Mongolia's ancient dairy traditions with innovative products like cheese crisps and milk tea powder. The foundation of these creations lies in Tsagaan Idee, the historic 'white food' of Mongolia. Tao Gao, a key figure in preserving these traditions, uses a repurposed sunflower-seed roaster to produce elastic curd efficiently, helping to scale production while maintaining traditional flavors. Despite the historical roots of these products, modern innovations and a focus on branding have paved the way for their growing popularity. Zhenglan Banner, once a hub of dairy production in the Yuan Dynasty, continues to evolve by integrating tradition with contemporary consumer trends. Tao Gao highlights the importance of appealing to new audiences by promoting Inner Mongolian products at major exhibitions. These efforts have crafted an array of new goods such as dairy tofu mooncakes and ready-to-drink milk teas, which appeal nationwide. Collaborations with brands like Xibei help expand the reach of traditional products, such as milk skin, a time-honored handmade treat now trending among Chinese Gen-Z. The combination of innovation and heritage has fostered a resurgence in Inner Mongolian dairy products, with Tao Gao achieving substantial sales figures—over 2 million yuan annually. Inner Mongolia's dairy output exceeded 7.76 million tonnes in 2024, capturing 19% of China's total production, thereby solidifying its national prominence in dairy production. This industry growth includes transitioning from family workshops to larger-scale operations, evidenced by products like Suutai Tsai being bottled as 'Urij' liquid tea and reaching markets across China. The development trend leans towards specialization, marketization, and branding, driven by local authorities and herdspersons who blend ancestral skills with modern innovation. Such dynamics propel Inner Mongolia's traditional dairy offerings to new heights, as they cater to evolving consumer tastes and expand beyond their historic origins.