A glass of Kvas. Photography by: Oksana Ukraine is situated in a zone of mild climate, which makes the temperature in summer rise to 45 degrees Celsius. Hence, people need a way to cool themselves, or they will melt. One way to stay cool is to drink a glass of cold Kvas – one of the most popular drinks here. This drink was first mentioned in the year 989, when Prince Vladimir Sviatoslavich introduced Christianity to the Ukrainians. The first kvas was brewed in abbeys, houses of rich people, and hospitals. Kvas is a popular household drink since it’s recipe is derived from the recipe of making bread.

Kvas and Lemon. Photography by: Oksana

You can buy kvas in any store nowadays, but you can also make it at home, because it is very easy and does not take a lot of time. Usually kvas is kept in oak barrels. All you need to make the kvas is: yeast, citric acid, rye bread, sugar, and warm water. You make breadcrumbs from the rye bread, then take all ingredients and put them into a 3 liter capacity bottle and put this bottle into a warm, but hidden from the sun, place for 2 to 3 days. Then on the 2nd day you should strain the kvas and put the strained drink into the fridge to cool. Kvas should not be kept in any plastic bottles. You can add different fruit in the glass with kvas.

There are a lot of kinds of kvas: with red beets, with blackberries, with beer, with honey. I am pretty sure that you can find the tastiest and the most delicious kind of kvas for you.

Written by: Oksana Koval

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