Confused about kvass for okroshka soup - should it be sweet?

Question

I have come across a recipe for a cold soup called okroshka and I am quite perplexed by one of the main instructions. It says to pour kvass over the chopped ingredients.

The only kvass I have ever seen for sale is a very sweet, dark, carbonated beverage, much like a soft drink. Surely one is not meant to pour a sugary soda over a savory salad of vegetables and meat? It seems utterly counterintuitive.

Is there a special, unsweetened or savory type of kvass that is used for cooking? I am trying to understand the traditional method, not some new fad. Things used to be so much simpler. Any clarification on the proper type of kvass to use would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Hello, NostalgicCook. That is an excellent question, and your intuition is serving you very well! You are absolutely correct that you should not be pouring a sweet, soda-like beverage over your okroshka. That would be quite unpalatable. The confusion arises because there are two main types of kvass:

• Drinking Kvass: This is the dark, sweet, and carbonated beverage you have found. It is mass-produced and sold as a refreshing soft drink. It is made to be consumed on its own.
• Okroshka Kvass: This is the traditional type used for the soup. It is unsweetened, or has only a hint of sweetness to aid fermentation. Its primary flavor profile is sour and tangy, much like unsweetened kombucha or kefir. It is often lighter in color and is sometimes called "white kvass" (белый квас).

For an authentic okroshka, you need to find this special unsweetened kvass. Your best bet would be to look in an Eastern European or Russian grocery store. Ask specifically for "okroshka kvass" or "okroshechniy kvass" (окрошечный квас). Sometimes the label will explicitly state it is for soup. If you cannot find it, making your own is the most traditional route. It is a simple fermentation of rye bread, water, and a starter. I hope this clarifies things for you!

Answer 2

OMG no don't use the sweet kvass!!! That would be so gross... you're totally right! That stuff is just a soda.

For okroshka, you need a special unsweetened, sour kvass. It's sometimes called 'white kvass'. Check a polish or russian deli, they should have it. It's better to find the right stuff than to waste all your chopped veggies and meat! Good luck :)

Answer 3

Your confusion is understandable. The sweet, bottled kvass sold in regular supermarkets is not the right kind for okroshka. You'll want to find a specific unsweetened kvass, often labeled 'okroshka kvass,' at an international or Eastern European market. It has a sour taste that is appropriate for the soup.

Answer 4

You are correct. The kvass sold in bottles in most stores is a sweet soft drink and is not for okroshka. Traditional okroshka is made with a special, unsweetened, sour kvass, which is often homemade.

This 'okroshka kvass' is tangy and refreshing, complementing the savory ingredients. My family always made it from rye bread starter. You will need to visit a Slavic grocery store to find this specific type, or find a recipe to make it yourself. Do not use the sweet version.

Answer 5

Do not use sweet kvass. The recipe means a special unsweetened, sour kvass made for okroshka soup. Its sometimes called 'white kvass'. Look for it at a specialty grocery store, otherwise the soup will be ruined.

Answer 6

nah u dont use the sweet kind. that's just like fizzy pop. u need to find unsweetened kvass for soup its sour. might find it in a polish shop if u have one nearby.

Answer 7

Your right to be confused. Using the sweet stuff would be a disaster. Theres a different kind of kvass for soup its sour not sweet. You have to get the right one or you'll wreck the whole dish.

Answer 8

yeah that is confusing. the sweet kvass is not for soup. you have to get the sour kind for okroshka. defnitely dont pour soda on it lol. look for one that says for soup.