cross-posted from: https://sopuli.xyz/post/17858876

I found both dark and light rye bread at the store but it was the factory-made kind. I definitely made mistakes with both batches including adding way too much bread to the light kvass.the bottles need a day to carbonate then we shall see how well they turned out. Not that I have any reference for the flavor.

  • Justas🇱🇹@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    4·
    1 month ago

    I am from a place where kvass is made and drink it quite often. The difference between store bought and homemade stuff can be massive. Stuff that comes in cans tastes like bread flavoured soda or beer that was sweetened too much. The stuff restaurants make tends to be very sour, on the other hand.

    • Jake FarmOPEnglish
      2·
      1 month ago

      It is slightly sour with a unique flavor that is very much determined by the type of bread used. I am sure playing with the amount of sugar can change how sour it is. These were commonly home made in the pre-industrial era and from what I understand, a lot of slovik people still make it at home. Kvass seems to be pretty versatile as far as ingredients go.

    • Jake FarmOPEnglish
      2·
      1 month ago

      Here is the recipe I used. Rye Kvass:

      ~7 Pieces of Rye Bread(preferably dark or Russian rye)

      ~1/2 gal [1.9L] Water

      ~2/3 cup [150g| sugar(can be substituted with wort, honey, molasses, ect)

      Handful of raisins or any other dried berry (cut in half if you like) ~10

      Optional: Pinch of bread yeast or tea sppon of sour dough starter to accelerate the fermentation

      Toast the bread so dark as to be almost burned

      Boil enough water to cover the toast and pour over toasted bread pieces

      Wait until room temp and add raisins and sugar

      Ferment 3-5 days depending on your fermentation activity. Bottle with more raisins and a tea spoon of sugar and set on counter 2-3 days Refrigerate and drink

        • Jake FarmOPEnglish
          3·
          1 month ago

          You may have to make the bread yourself. There are also other types of kvass that use beets or fruit but are made in a similar fashion. This video does a decent job outlining the three main types. but there is almost infinite variety with this drink. I have seen some recipes that add herbs link hops to make it taste of beer or mint and berries.

          • Jeena@piefed.jeena.net
            2·
            1 month ago

            I’m mostly interested in the original flavors. I remember drinking some as a child in Poland and so does my partner when she was a child in China.