Almaty - The Times Of Central Asia

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Higher Education

Leading French Engineering School to Open Branch in Kazakhstan

The Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education has finalized an agreement with Grenoble INP-Phelma, UGA - France’s premier engineering school specializing in physics, electronics, and materials science, to open a branch campus in Almaty in 2026. The new campus will operate in partnership with Satbayev University, one of Kazakhstan’s top technical institutions. The agreement was signed by vice presidents of both universities in the presence of Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek and French Ambassador to Kazakhstan Sylvain Guiguet. Grenoble INP-Phelma, located in the city of Grenoble, is part of the Grenoble Institute of Technology and is internationally recognized for its excellence in engineering education. The Kazakhstan branch of Phelma will offer dual degree programs in Nuclear Engineering, Renewable Engineering, and Advanced Studies. The initiative aims to train highly qualified specialists in nuclear and renewable energy, fields of growing strategic importance as Kazakhstan prepares to construct its first nuclear power plant. Participating students will have the opportunity to undergo practical training at French nuclear power facilities, which operate 56 reactors and supply more than 70% of France’s electricity. This hands-on experience is expected to prepare graduates for careers in Kazakhstan’s evolving energy sector. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that the Colorado School of Mines will also open its first international campus in Kazakhstan in 2026. That campus will be located in Zhezkazgan, the center of the country’s geological industry. The Colorado School of Mines has already established a dual degree partnership with Satbayev University in geology, petroleum engineering, and mining, which includes joint research collaborations.

Culture Kazakhstan Food Almaty Food industry ice-cream kazakh flavors steppe spirit UMAMI

Ice Cream Flavored with Kurt, Tara, and Balkaymak Presented in Almaty

An Almaty-based company, UMAMI, has launched a new line of ice cream inspired by traditional Kazakh flavors. The collection features three distinct varieties: kurt, tary, and balkaymak. Balkaymak is a rich, creamy dessert, sometimes prepared with flour and honey, and typically served warm alongside bread or pastries. Tary refers to roasted millet, a staple often enjoyed with tea. Kurt is a protein and mineral-rich dried fermented milk product, deeply rooted in Kazakh culinary heritage. UMAMI’s project aims not only to surprise the palate but also to integrate national gastronomy into a modern context, creating what the team hopes will become a new symbol of Kazakh culture. “You'll find it interesting in your mouth,” promises brand co-founder and technologist Oksana Kim-Flayosk. A Flavor Journey in Every Scoop Among the standout offerings is the cream kurt ice cream, made using authentic kurt. The UMAMI team sampled dozens of variations from different producers before selecting the ideal base. The flavor unfolds in stages: a brackish start, followed by a sour note, and ending in a sweet finish. To elevate the experience, UMAMI recommends serving the kurt ice cream in a baursak, a traditional Kazakh fried dough delicacy. Kim-Flayosk likens this combination to a local version of the Italian dessert maritozzo, where a sweet bun is filled with cream. “We put a ball of ice cream in the baursak, and that's our national version of maritozzo,” she explained. While all three flavors were tested in baursaks, kurt was the undisputed favorite among tasters. Nauryz Roots and Steppe Spirit The Tary & Talkan flavor, originally created for the Nauryz holiday five years ago, was so well received that it earned a permanent spot in UMAMI’s lineup. The recipe combines black tea infused with milk, roasted millet ground into talkan, and a dairy base, evoking the spirit of the Kazakh steppe. The third offering, Balkaymak & Irimshik, is rich and textured, featuring bits of irimshik (a type of curd) to accentuate the contrast between its caramel and creamy elements. “I wanted there to be texture, to be able to chew. First creamy, then caramel, and then creamy again,” said Kim-Flayosk. Prior to finalizing the recipe, UMAMI conducted a public survey to better understand what balkaymak means to different people. Responses varied widely, from cream skimmed from spring milk to a boiled mixture of sour cream, flour, and sugar. Modernizing Tradition Kim-Flayosk emphasized UMAMI’s commitment to preserving and popularizing Kazakh culinary identity. “We are a local brand. We see society’s interest in traditions and want to be part of a culture that popularizes Kazakhstani products,” she said. The company plans to launch souvenir boxes featuring all three flavors in the coming month, offering a gastronomic symbol of Kazakhstan to locals and tourists alike. Non-standard ice cream flavors are increasingly part of a global trend. Around the world, producers are experimenting with combinations like mustard and dill, eel, black pepper, garlic, chili, and even beer. In this diverse international context, UMAMI’s Kazakhstani creations stand out not just for...

Agriculture

Kazakhstan Launches Ambitious Project to Revive Legendary Aport Apple

Kazakhstan has launched a major initiative to restore one of Almaty's most iconic symbols, the Aport apple variety. The Return of a National Symbol According to the National Agrarian Scientific and Educational Center (NANOC), new Aport orchards will be planted in the Almaty region starting in 2025, covering an area of 110 hectares. The project, set to run through 2028, plans to introduce approximately 25,000 seedlings. Funding has already been secured, and experts from KazNII Horticulture LLP have begun implementing the roadmap. “We are confident that the revival of this variety will be an important step in the development of domestic horticulture and will provide Kazakhstanis with high-quality and tasty fruits,” NANOC stated. The first harvest is expected in eight years. According to scientific forecasts, yields could reach up to 57.7 kilograms per tree in the early stages and up to 100 kilograms as the orchards mature. Aport apples are known not only for their distinctive aroma and taste but also for their durability: with proper storage, they remain fresh until March, and with modern preservation methods, even until June. A Fruit Steeped in History The Aport apple is more than just a fruit, it’s a cultural brand of Almaty. With its large size, vibrant color, and rich aroma, the Aport became a hallmark of the city. Historical records show that in 1865, a peasant named Yegor Redko brought Aport seedlings from Russia’s Voronezh Province to the town of Verny (modern-day Almaty). Within a decade, the variety flourished in the unique climate of the Zailiyskiy Alatau, revealing its full potential. By the early 20th century, Aport apples had gained international acclaim. At an exhibition in Germany in 1908, the variety won a prize. Since then, it has been recognized as a Kazakhstani brand. In 2023, the Aport was officially patented as a national product. Justice Minister Azamat Eskarayev has announced efforts to register the Aport as an international brand, including in European countries. Decline and Recovery Challenges The decline of the Aport apple began in the late 20th century, driven by rapid urbanization and the commercial development of former orchard lands. According to Saule Kazybayeva, Deputy Chair of the Board at the Kazakh Research Institute of Fruit and Vegetable Growing, the Aport was replaced by hardier and more commercially viable varieties like Golden Delicious. Moreover, the Aport requires specific care and environmental conditions, making it less appealing for mass production. Another setback has been the degradation of its genetic qualities. The traditional method of grafting Aport onto wild Sivers apple stock is often not properly followed, especially by private farms, resulting in a loss of the variety’s signature flavor. The Current Outlook According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Aport orchards now cover 2,500 hectares across Almaty and Zhetysu oblasts, with around 416,000 trees in total. Almaty itself has about 230 hectares of Aport orchards. However, local authorities acknowledge that both the orchard area and fruit quality are in decline, largely due to disease susceptibility. Despite these challenges, a revitalization program...

Urban Legends

Urban Legends of Central Asia: The Global Allure of Supernatural Tales

Supernatural TV series coming out of the U.S. have captivated audiences with their blend of mystery, horror, and fantasy. Shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Stranger Things explore themes of good versus evil, the unknown, and human resilience in the face of extraordinary threats. Their storytelling and relatable characters have created devoted fan bases and influenced pop culture. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Supernatural, the television series that evolved into a global cult phenomenon over its 15-season run and was a hit in Kazakhstan. The show followed the Winchester brothers as they hunted ghosts, demons, and other preternatural beings, drawing on local legends and folklore. But tales of the uncanny are not exclusive to the American Midwest. Central Asia - and Almaty in particular - offers a rich tapestry of urban myths that could easily serve as material for a local paranormal series. Recent years have seen an explosion in the horror/paranormal genre across Central Asia, with domestic productions now outperforming foreign blockbusters at the box office in Kazakhstan, something which was unthinkable just a decade ago. The Hitchhiking Ghosts of Almaty One of the earliest episodes of Supernatural features a ghostly hitchhiker, an image that Almaty residents might find eerily familiar. “I often drive the Kapchagay highway past midnight,” said Vadim, a resident of a village north of Almaty. “A couple of times I’ve seen a figure in white, just like the one my grandfather used to talk about, the ghost of a girl thumbing for a ride. If you stop, she asks you to call her parents and gives you a city phone number. But it’s an old Soviet six-digit number. When people called, someone on the other end would say their daughter had died long ago.” In another variation, the phantom begins to flirt with the driver, until he looks down and sees that instead of feet, she has hooves. There are multiple versions of this legend. Another ghostly hitchhiker is said to haunt Zhandosov Street near a former fruit and vegetable factory, reportedly foretelling fatal accidents. A third ghost is rumored to dwell in a bank building at the intersection of Seyfullin and Shevchenko streets, which is allegedly constructed upon the grave of a woman who was murdered. This last tale, however, doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. The building once housed a design institute and later a high-end nightclub, hardly the kind of place a malevolent spirit would haunt. Local students and clubgoers have reported no paranormal activity. The Martyr of Baum Grove Baum Grove in Almaty has long been the subject of ghost stories, many centered on a buried treasure and the murder of an Orthodox bishop during the Russian Civil War. While the Soviet authorities never investigated the legend, literature offers a clue. In his 1925 novel Mutiny, Bolshevik writer Dmitry Furmanov recounted the extrajudicial killing of a bishop outside the city by drunken Red Army soldiers. Historical records confirm that on September 16, 1918, troops from Ivan Mamontov’s punitive detachment abducted Bishop...

United Nations

UN General Assembly Backs Kazakhstan’s Initiative to Establish UN Center in Almaty

The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. The initiative was put forward by Kazakhstan on behalf of the Central Asian states. According to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, 152 UN member states co-sponsored the resolution, underscoring its broad international support and high significance. Kazakhstan’s Role in Regional Development The idea to establish the UN SDG Centre was first proposed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly. He suggested locating the center in Almaty’s new Building of International Organizations, which already hosts 18 UN agencies. Tokayev emphasized that, as the largest economy in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is committed to strengthening regional cooperation and promoting sustainable development. He highlighted the growing role of middle powers in global governance, positioning Kazakhstan as a key player in fostering regional integration and international collaboration. A Hub for Regional Cooperation The new UN SDG Centre will serve as a platform for coordinating international and regional efforts, facilitating best practice exchanges, providing technical assistance, and implementing joint projects. It will work closely with governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to achieve measurable development outcomes. Additionally, the center will play a crucial role in revitalizing the UN system at the regional level. Its mission includes enhancing coordination between UN agencies, adapting global initiatives to regional priorities, and promoting inclusive multilateral cooperation, a goal aligned with ongoing UN reforms aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness. Supporting Afghanistan’s Economic Stability A key focus of the center will be economic development in Afghanistan, as the country’s stability and prosperity are directly linked to the security and well-being of Central Asia. By addressing Afghanistan’s economic challenges, the center aims to contribute to long-term regional stability and growth.

Business

A Taste of Kazakhstan: Interview with Almaty’s Apple City Cider

Englishman Alexander Thomas is the passionate founder of Apple City Cider, an Almaty-based craft cidery dedicated to producing high-quality, locally sourced ciders that celebrate tradition with a modern twist. With a deep-rooted love for orchards and fermentation, Thomas blends innovation with time-honored techniques to create crisp, flavorful ciders. TCA: What first brought you to Almaty, and what kept you here? AT: I used to work for the world’s largest publishing group, where I reported on different market sectors. When I covered aviation, I used to fly around the world to speak to different airline CEOs to discuss their route strategies and fleets. I first came to Kazakhstan to interview Air Astana’s CEO, Peter Foster. I was supposed to fly to Paris to speak with KLM and Air France, but that meeting was canceled, so I flew back to London. Sitting next to me, little did I know, was my future wife. In the same company, I very much enjoyed the coverage of the drinks industry. I had originally wanted to make wine in the south of France, but after marrying a Kazakh girl, we decided to start our business in Kazakhstan. Instead of pressing grapes in the South of France, we began pressing apples in Almaty. TCA: Can you tell us the inspiration for Apple City Cider? AT: We started the business because no one was making cider in the birthplace of the apple, around that time, cider was not even available to purchase in Kazakhstan. Around the same time we went on sale, another alcohol manufacturer began to produce cider as well, but we are the only cider specialists; the main business of the others is spirits and other alcoholic drinks. [caption id="attachment_28689" align="aligncenter" width="1706"] Image: TCA, Henry Kuvin[/caption] TCA: How did Almaty respond to your business idea, and what were the main challenges when establishing your company? AT: Consumers are very happy with the product and happy that we started our business here. Like other local companies, Almaty Cider has received a lot of positive support from the city; they love how it’s called “Almaty Cider.” The concept of eating locally and supporting local businesses is a global phenomenon, and Almaty is no exception. The fact that Almaty is the birthplace of the apple, proven by science, made it the ideal location to start such a business. The Malus Sieversii apple, native to the Almaty region, is perfect for cider. The levels of tannins, fruit sugar, and acidity, while not ideal for eating, make a great-tasting cider. TCA: Almaty, the place of abundant apples, does not have a huge cider culture – how has this changed since you established the business, and where do you see it going? AT: Cider was not available even as an imported product until about three to four years ago. Since then, we have seen imported brands come to the market, and people have developed a taste for it. In Russia, for example, there are now over 100 independent cideries. The first person...