Kvas

Since summer started we have seen these large wooden barrels on street corners everywhere.  There are several sections in the grocery store devoted to various bottles and jugs of this brown liquid.  When we were at R's boss' home C enjoyed some after playing and getting hot and sweaty in the yard.  Kvas does not seem just to be a beverage but a integral part of Russian summer.  It is a fermented beverage made from black or regular rye bread.  By Russian standards it is classified as a non-alcoholic drink because the alcohol content is less than 1.2%.  The alcohol content of most Kvas is low .05% - 1%.  It is sometimes flavored with fruits or herbs and is the base of a cold summertime soup called okroshka.  It is popular not only in Russia but in the former Soviet States, Eastern Europe and China.  Truly  trying to experience many parts of our new home I bought some.  You know when in Rome, do as the Romans and all that.  We all tried it, some of us managed only a swallow, some drank their whole glass and said they enjoyed it BUT the remaining Kvas was never finished. . .I think I'll stick to another favorite Russian summer time treat, ice cream :)