How to Make Kvass

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Kvass is one of the national drinks of Russia. It is usually made of wheat, rye, rye bread, or barley and buckwheat meal. Kvass is of very low alcoholic content (0.7 to 2.2%). Because fermentation is required, it will take you 2-3 days to make kvass. Kvass is sometimes called in English a bread drink. Below is a simple kvass recipe.

Ingredients

1.3 gal. water
1.1 lbs. black rye bread
0.45 oz. yeast
3.5 oz. sugar
0.35 oz. mint

Preparation

1. Slice the bread and dry it in the oven. The rusks should be ruddy but not burnt.

2. Put the rusks in the saucepan, pour the boiling water, cover the contents and draw for 2-3 hours.

3. Strain the infusion through clothing without pressing, add the yeast, mint and sugar.

4. When kvass starts to foam, filter it again, pour out in bottles, put 3-5 raisins into each bottle and cork them.

5. Leave kvass for 2-3 days until it is ready.

Tips for Making and Serving Kvass

1. The water used for kvass must be soft.

2. Store kvass in the cool place after you have poured it into bottles.

3. Kvass is best served chilled in hot weather.

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