Kvas (Квас)
beverage
easy
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Kvas is a Slavic fermented beverage made from rye bread, with a history spanning over 1000 years. This mildly alcoholic (under 1%), tangy drink is refreshing on hot days. The fermentation creates slightly sweet, somewhat sour flavors with bread notes. Rich in probiotics and B vitamins, kvas is sold from tanks on street corners throughout Slavic regions in summer.
About This Dish
Kvas is a lightly fermented rye-bread drink with gentle tang and natural fizz, commonly enjoyed as a refreshing non-strong beverage.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
2880 minutes
Servings
16
Region & Occasion
Slavicsummereveryday
Ingredients
- •500 g (1 lb) dark rye bread or pumpernickel
- •4 liters (1 gallon) water
- •200 g (1 cup) sugar
- •15 g (1/2 oz) fresh yeast or 7g dried yeast
- •50 g (1/4 cup) raisins
- •2 tbsp honey (optional)
- •Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- 1Cut bread into small cubes. Dry in oven at 180°C (350°F) until very dark and crispy (20-30 min).
- 2Place toasted bread in large container. Pour 4 liters boiling water over bread.
- 3Cover and let steep for 8 hours or overnight at room temperature.
- 4Strain liquid through cheesecloth into another container, squeezing bread to extract all liquid.
- 5Warm 500 ml of the liquid to 35-38°C (95-100°F), then dissolve sugar and yeast in it (hotter liquid can kill yeast).
- 6Pour yeast mixture back into remaining bread liquid. Add honey and mint if using.
- 7Cover with cheesecloth. Let ferment at room temperature for 24-48 hours.
- 8Taste after 24 hours. When it reaches desired tartness and slight fizziness, it's ready.
- 9Strain through fine cloth to remove sediment.
- 10Add 3-4 raisins to each bottle (they create carbonation).
- 11Bottle in glass bottles with tight caps, leaving 3-4 cm (1.5 inches) headspace, then refrigerate.
- 12Kvas is ready to drink after 1 day in fridge. Keeps for 1-2 weeks refrigerated.
Cooking Tips
- •Toast bread dark enough to develop flavor, but avoid burning.
- •Ferment in a clean container and taste after 24 hours to control tartness.
- •Chill fully before serving so flavor and carbonation settle.
FAQ
How long should kvas ferment?
Usually 24 to 48 hours at room temperature, depending on how tangy you want it.
Is homemade kvas alcoholic?
It is usually very low alcohol from fermentation, commonly under 1 percent.
Can I reduce sugar in kvas?
Yes, but flavor, fermentation activity, and carbonation may all decrease.
Tags
#fermented#probiotic#refreshing#Slavic
