RUSSIAN PRODUCTS YOU MUST TRY

10.Mar.2017

Interesting gastro-experience for foreigners in Russia

Recently more foreign tourists come to Moscow and want to try something new, but unfortunately there is no description available in English on our goods. That is why I decided to make such list of Russian products to try. I hope this article will help them to orientate in the store and to get unforgettable experience about Russian eating culture.

Here are my advices for Russian food and drinks that you can easily buy in almost all stores of Moscow and Russia, such as Perekrestok, Diksi, Magnolia, Azbuka vkusa, etc. And also it is good souvenir to take home or to give to your friends and relatives.

PART I. RUSSIAN DRINKS TO TRY.

SOFT DRINKS (NON ALCOHOLIC):

«Baikal» soda (“Байкал”).

“Baikal” is a Russian non-alcoholic drink of dark-brown colour. Reminds a little of Pepsi, but is more healthy, because the composition includes extracts of natural medicinal herbs. Its recipe was created in 1976 in USSR.

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Kvas (Квас).

Kvas is a traditional Slavic fermented beverage commonly made from rye bread. Reminds a little of beer, but without alcohol. In Soviet times many Russian people made it at home. Very refreshing, especially in summer period.

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Kefir (Кефир).

Kefir is a fermented milk drink, like drinking-style yogurt, but more healthy. Origin: north Caucasus Mountains. Made with kefir “grains”, a yeast/bacterial fermentation starter. Very healty and refreshing. Can be solo drink or can be used in some Russian dishes like ‘Okroshka’.

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Ryazhenka (Ряженка).

Ryazhenka is a variety of yogurt which is made from baked milk by lactic acid fermentation. It has caramel-like flavor. Good as a quick snack with bread or ‘Pryanik’.

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Kissel (Кисель).

Kissel is a viscous fruit dish, popular as a dessert and as a drink. It consists of the sweetened juice of berries, like mors, but it is thickened with starch. It’s good for your stomach.

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RUSSIAN WINES & SHAMPAGNES.

Russian winery has been known from ancient times. There are famous brands like Massandra (Crimea), Abrau-Durso (Caucasus region) with many years history. Their wines have many medals and were recognized by the West.

Main regions of Russian winery: Krasnodar region, Stavropol region, Rostov region, Crimea, Dagestan, etc. Price for a good Russian bottle of wine in the store begins from 350 Rub. Hereby I give a list of wines by price-quality, which you can see on the shelves of Moscow stores: Perekrestok, Azbuka Vkusa, Magnolia, Diksi, Aromatny Mir, etc.

Here are some Russian reliable brands: Massandra (Crimea), Inkerman (Crimea), Novy Svet (Crimea), Usadba Perovskih (Crimea), Abrau-Durso (Krasnodar region), Chateau Tamagne (Krasnodar region), Ubileinaya winery (Krasnodar region), Fanagoria (Krasnodar region), etc.

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RUSSIAN STRONG DRINKS:

Polugar (Полугар).

Polugar is the true legendary Russian bread wine brought back to life using the traditional technologies and recipes from the 18th and 19th centuries. Alcohol strength is 38.5%, smells of rye bread and has a soft pleasant taste.

Where to buy in Moscow: Gastronome #1 (GUM), Azbuka Vkusa. Price: ~1600,00 Rub.

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Vodka (Водка).

Vodka is a distilled beverage composed primarily of water and ethanol, sometimes with traces of impurities and flavorings. Traditionally, vodka is made by the distillation of cereal grains or potatoes that have been fermented, though some modern brands use other substances, such as fruits or sugar.

Reliable brands: ‘Carskaya’, ‘5 lakes’, ‘Belenkaya’, ‘Belaya Berezka’, ‘Russky Standart’.

Where to buy in Moscow: Perekrestok, Diksi, Aromatny mir.

How to drink: very good chilled, in a small shot, necessarily with some snack (‘zakuski’) or with Russian dishes, like ‘Borsch’ or ‘Pelmeni’.

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Russian products you must try. Part II. >>