It's safe to say, fermentation is in. Probiotic-rich foods and drinks - including sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha - have been around for thousands of years, but are just now reaching mainstream popularity in the U.S.
Fermented beverages are full of live, good-for-you bacteria that support gut health, including digestion and immune system function. The best part is, even just a shotglass-full with a meal is beneficial - sipping optional.
And just as the fermented tea drink kombucha solidifies its place American hearts, there's a new brew popping up in health stores; kvass. This traditional fermented beverage from Russia is made from rye bread (low 0.5-1% alcohol content), and has a distinct savory and sour flavor. The addition of beets is not technically traditional, but adds nice sweetness, depth and color (+ vitamins) for a truly fantastic drink.
Historically, kvass was served in the heat of summer ice-cream-truck-style (literally); a big barrel was wheeled around to quench everyone's thirst. The acidity lowers the pH enough to kill bad bacteria, which means kvass was often safer to drink than water.
Fermentation in Russia isn't summer-specific, though; due to the long harsh winters, it's the perfect way to preserve vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables from growing season. The sourness is beloved in the region, and pickled cucumber, sour cream, cabbage and mushroom are quite common.
Beet Kvass
From Munchies.vice.com, here.
kvass
makes 7 cups, or 1.7 L
- 6 cups water
- 1 cup sour whey, from strained yogurt (see recipe below)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, (optional)
- 2 lbs beets, chopped
- 1 apple, chopped
- 1/4 cup dried apples
- 2 rye bread ends (optional)
whey
makes 2 cups, or .47 L of whey, and 2 cups, or .47L cream cheese
- 2 quarts piima milk, whole-milk buttermilk, yogurt, or raw milk
fine strainer - clean cheesecloth (or thin dishtowel)
Instructions
1. For the beet kvass: Pour the water, salt (if using), and the whey into a large nonreactive container. Add the beets, apple, dried apple, and rye bread. Seal the container closed, using a lid with an airlock (if you have one), or cover with cheesecloth. If you have it sealed closed without an airlock, open the container every few days or so to release carbon dioxide buildup and check for mold. Place in a clean, well-protected, low-light place with an ambient temperature of 60°F/16°C to 68°F/20°C until the beets develop a mild sour flavor, about 7 to 10 days.
2. Strain the liquid, reserving the beets and liquid separately. Transfer the liquid to one or more airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 2 months. Pack the beets into one or more airtight containers, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks if out of brine, or 2 months if covered with brine. Or, use the beets to juice for the beverage that follows.
3. For the whey: If you are using piima milk or whole-milk buttermilk, let stand at room temperature 1-2 days until the milk visibly separates into white curds and yellowish whey. If you are using yogurt, no advance preparation is required. You may use homemade yogurt or good quality commercial plain yogurt. If you are using raw milk, place the milk in a clean glass container and allow it to stand at room temperature 1-4 days until it separates. For the raw milk to separate into curds and whey properly, the air must be around 73 F.
4. Line a large strainer set over a bowl with cheesecloth or a clean dish towel. Pour in the yogurt or separated milk, cover, and let stand at room temperature for several hours (longer for yogurt). The whey will run into the bowl and the milk solids will stay in the strainer. Tie up the towel with the milk solids inside, being careful not to squeeze. Tie this little sack to a wooden spoon placed across the top of a container so that more whey can drip out. When the bag stops dripping, the cheese is ready. Store whey in a mason jar and cream cheese in a covered glass container.
5. Refrigerated, the cream cheese keeps for about 1 month and the whey for up to 6 months.
Grain-Free/Dairy-Free Beet Kvass
From Cultures for Health, here.
Ingredients
- 2-3 beets, depending on size
- 4 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 quarts filtered water
Instructions
- Chop beets into ½-inch pieces and place in a half-gallon jar.
- Add salt; fill jar with water, leaving 1 inch headspace.
- Cover the jar with a tight lid, airlock lid, or coffee filter secured with a rubber band.
- Culture at room temperature (60-70°F is preferred) until desired flavor and texture are achieved. If using a tight lid, burp daily to release excess pressure.
- Once the kvass is finished, put a tight lid on the jar and move to cold storage. The kvass flavor will continue to develop as it ages.
When most of the liquid has been drunk from the kvass, refill the jar and culture at room temperature again for a second, weaker batch.
Sources
NPR "America, are you Tough Enough to Drink Real Russian Kvas?"
Wikipedia "Kvass"
