This cultural connection lies at the heart of the new documentary Milk: A Running River of Civilization, streaming on Tencent Video, which takes viewers on a journey across continents and centuries.

Seen through the eyes of farmers, chefs and historians, the six-episode series reveals the way milk has shaped civilizations, bridging the worlds of nomads and settlers, survival and indulgence.

Since its release on March 6, it has been at the top of Tencent Video's documentary rankings, earning a 9.3/10 rating. One viewer, Zhou Yuqin, praised it as "a rare gem among food documentaries". "In an era dominated by short, chaotic videos, this film is a welcome change — the clear narrative and sumptuous visuals bring a sense of calm and engagement," she wrote.

According to executive producer Zhu Lexian, the documentary took two years to complete.