Today, beans have become a true brand of the region. More than 70% of all exported beans from Kyrgyzstan are grown right here, in the fertile Talas Valley. The locals respectfully refer to it as "white gold" - and not without reason. It not only feeds but also shapes the way of life, economy, gastronomy, and even the culture of the region.
The white bean variety "lopatka" is an absolute favorite among Talas farmers. This variety is distinguished by its even shape, ideal size, and high nutritional value.
Almost 50% of all agricultural land in Talas is dedicated to bean cultivation. 80% of the region's residents are involved in its production in one way or another - from farming to sorting and packaging.
Each year, the region exports about 70,000 tons of beans. The geography of export is impressive: the product is shipped to more than 30 countries around the world, including Turkey, Russia, Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, and the countries of the Middle East.
The favorable climate, gentle sun, and pure meltwater from the mountains create ideal conditions for growing legumes. The beans here are large, dense, and uniform - just the way the global market loves them.
Interesting facts about Talas beans:
Beans can grow even in soils with low fertility, making them a salvation for regions with a challenging agricultural history.
The shelf life of dry beans is up to 2 years without losing taste and beneficial properties.
Talas beans are one of the most environmentally friendly crops in Kyrgyzstan, as they require almost no chemical fertilizers.
It is believed that Talas beans have a special taste due to the unique mineral composition of the local soils.
White beans are a record holder among plant products for protein content. No wonder they are called "plant meat."
What 100 g of white beans contains:
Proteins - about 7 g, with the plant protein from beans being absorbed at 75%, making it lighter and healthier compared to animal protein.
Dietary fibers, which act as a natural "brush," cleansing the body of toxins and improving digestion.
Vitamin B9 (folic acid) - important for the heart and blood vessels, helps prevent the development of atherosclerosis.
A set of essential amino acids: tryptophan, arginine, lysine, tyrosine.
Magnesium and calcium, which strengthen teeth, bones, and the nervous system.
This combination makes beans an ideal product for dietary nutrition, sports, body recovery, and a balanced diet.
Travelers can not only taste the dishes but also see the entire process of bean cultivation: Tours of farms - from field inspections to demonstrations of the harvest.
Visits to sorting centers, where beans are cleaned, calibrated, and prepared for export.
Talas beans are a product that has become a symbol of the region. They unite traditions, nature, and people, making the Talas Valley a must-visit destination for anyone who loves gastronomic journeys, eco-friendly products, and the true flavors of Central Asia.
Among the picturesque mountains of the Bakai-Ata region, not far from the village of Urmaral, lies one of the most mysterious and revered places in the Talas region - the Kara-Koyun cave. This is not just a dark niche in the stone mass, but a
If you have already seen Lake Besh-Tash and think that the national park has revealed all its secrets to you, then you simply haven't yet ascended the Itagar Pass. This is the route after which the photos on your phone remain unforgettable,
If there is a place in the Talas region that amazes from the very first step, it is the Talas Birch Grove - the largest man-made birch forest in all of Central Asia and one of those places where humans and nature have created a true oasis of
In the very heart of the blessed Talas Valley, where the silvery Talas River leisurely carves its way between two majestic mountain ranges - the Talas and Kyrgyz ranges - lies a unique natural oasis. The Talas Forest is not just a green stripe on
In the very heart of the picturesque Talas region, amidst the rugged gorges of the Bakai-Ata district, lies one of the most unusual natural wonders of Kyrgyzstan - the geopark "Kara-Kishi." This place seems to exist outside of time: the
In the Talas Valley, among the hills and green valleys, lies one of the most revered sacred places in the region - the Boo-Terek shrine. Its name translates from Kyrgyz as "a bundle of poplars" or "many poplars," and this is no
The Talas region is one of the corners of Kyrgyzstan where history is felt not in museum showcases or academic works, but in the wind, in the scent of dry wormwood, in the lines of mountains frozen around the valley like an ancient choir. Here, the
The Besh-Tash National Park, which translates to "Five Stones," stretches in a narrow chain along the Talas Ala-Tuu mountain range. On a good gravel serpentine road up the Besh-Tash river gorge, it feels as if the car is about to hit the
The Besh-Tash Nature Park covers more than 30,000 hectares, stretching nearly 30 kilometers upstream along the river of the same name - from the gentle foothills at an altitude of 1,100 meters to the harsh, cold glaciers rising to 3,500 meters. The
In the Talas Valley, there is a place where legends come alive at every step, and the silence of the mountains speaks louder than any storyteller. This is the Besh-Tash Gorge - one of the most picturesque and symbolic natural spaces in Kyrgyzstan.
The Talas Geopark "Echkilit-Tuu" is located in the mountain range of the same name, Echkilit-Tuu, which is part of the Kyrgyz Ala-Tuu ridge, in the Sary-Kurai gorge, one of the most impressive natural attractions in Kyrgyzstan. This
Where once small rural streets stretched along the river valley, where people lived a measured steppe life, today lies a vast expanse of water - the Kirov Reservoir, one of the most significant hydraulic structures in Kyrgyzstan and an impressive
In the center of the village of Kyzyl-Adyr, which many travelers remember by its old name Kirovka, at the Orozbekov Meilibek Secondary School, there is a local history museum named after Mikhail Fyodorovich Tura. At first glance, it seems like an
Just thirty minutes away by car or on foot from Talas lies an amazing place - the Kulun-Sai mine, one of the most accessible old workings for lead ore extraction in the region. At first glance, an ordinary mountain gorge, Kulun-Sai hides a part of
The Talas region is not only a land of ancient settlements and legends but also one of remarkable natural abundance. Here, surrounded by the stunning mountain gorges of Besh-Tash, Kolba, Kumush-Tag, and Urmaral, one of the most heartfelt
The mountains of the Talas Ridge hide many secrets, but one of the most astonishing is the complex of rock carvings at Bakayir-Kara-Kuush, located in an easily accessible gorge where human footsteps are lost among the stones, and ancient stories
In the narrow stone corridor of the Chon-Kapka gorge, where the road seems to glide between sheer cliffs, a traveler is suddenly confronted by a massive concrete wall of a dam. But what strikes the most is not the engineering itself, but the art
The Ötmäk Pass (3326 m above sea level) is one of the most impressive places in the Talas region and a vital mountain artery connecting the closed Talas Basin with the spacious Suusamyr Valley and the strategic Bishkek-Osh highway. This is the main
On the strategic highway Bishkek-Osh, at the turning point to the road leading to the Otmok Pass (3332 m) and further into the Talas region, lies one of the most recognizable places along the entire route - the so-called "Gates of Talas."