Kvass

Kvass is a fermented beverage made from black or regular rye bread.^[1] The colour of the bread used helps to make the colour of the drink. It is a non-alcoholic drink by Russian standards. This is because the alcohol content from fermentation is less than 1.2%.^[2] Overall, the alcohol content is low (0.05% - 1.0%).^[3] It is often flavoured with fruits or herbs such as strawberries, raisins or mint. Kvass is also used for preparing a cold summertime soup called okroshka.^[4]

A mug of kvass

It is popular in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, and other Eastern and Central European countries, It is also popular in countries that used to be part of the USSR (former Soviet states), such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, where one can see many kvass vendors in the streets.^[5] Kvass is also popular in Harbin^[6] and Xinjiang, areas within China that are influenced by Russian culture.