Koumis (fermented mare's milk) is to Central Asia (the steppes, at least) what beer is to Europe, especially during and before the Middle Ages (a replacement for lack of or contaminated water).
Asia experiences monsoons because the Eurasian landmass is so large horizontally. If the Eurasian landmass stretched north/south instead of east/west it would not have monsoons.
When it is around -40 to -50 F you can take a cup of boiling water and toss it outside, and it explodes into snow powder just about instantly.