Kvass
A traditional Russian fermented bread drink, offering a slightly sour and refreshing taste, perfect for summer. This recipe yields a lightly alcoholic, effervescent beverage.
🧂 Ingredients
- 400 g Dark rye bread or Borodinsky bread(Stale bread works best. Avoid breads with a high proportion of seeds or caraway, as they can impart unwanted flavors.)
- 100 g Granulated sugar(Adjust to taste. Some prefer a sweeter kvass, others more tart.)
- 10 g Active dry yeast(Ensure yeast is fresh and active.)
- 1/4 cup Raisins(Unwashed raisins are preferred as they contain wild yeasts that aid fermentation. Use about 15-20 raisins per bottle.)
- 3 L Water(Filtered or boiled and cooled water is recommended to avoid chlorine which can inhibit yeast activity.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the bread base: Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. Spread them on a baking sheet and toast in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) until deeply golden brown and crisp. This process is crucial for developing the characteristic color and flavor of kvass. Let the toasted bread cool slightly.
⏱️ 10 minutes (for toasting) + 15 minutes (cooling) - 2
Infuse the bread: Place the toasted bread cubes into a large pot or food-grade bucket (at least 5-liter capacity). Pour 2 liters of the water (which should be warm, around 35-40°C or 95-105°F – comfortable to the touch) over the bread. Cover the pot with a lid or clean cloth and let it steep for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight at room temperature. The bread will soften and release its color and flavor into the water.
⏱️ 4 hours to overnight - 3
Strain and prepare for fermentation: Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean fermentation vessel (a large pot or bucket). Discard the bread solids. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and 1 tablespoon of the sugar (taken from the total amount) in about 100ml of the warm liquid from the pot. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active. Add this yeast mixture to the main liquid.
⏱️ 20 minutes - 4
Add remaining sugar and begin primary fermentation: Stir in the remaining sugar until fully dissolved. Cover the fermentation vessel loosely with a lid or cloth (to allow gas to escape but keep contaminants out). Let it ferment at room temperature (ideally 20-25°C or 68-77°F) for 1 to 2 days. You should see signs of fermentation, such as bubbles forming and a slightly sour aroma developing.
⏱️ 1-2 days - 5
Bottle and secondary fermentation: Once the primary fermentation is active (after 1-2 days), carefully ladle the kvass into clean, sturdy plastic bottles or swing-top glass bottles, leaving about 1-2 inches of headspace. Add 5-7 raisins to each bottle. Seal the bottles tightly. Let them sit at room temperature for another 6-12 hours to carbonate. The raisins will help with carbonation and add a subtle sweetness.
⏱️ 6-12 hours - 6
Chill and serve: Once the bottles feel firm (indicating carbonation), immediately refrigerate them to stop the fermentation process and prevent over-carbonation or bottle explosions. Chill thoroughly for at least 4-6 hours before serving. Serve cold. The kvass will continue to develop flavor in the refrigerator.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Kvass is very slightly alcoholic, typically less than 1% ABV, due to the fermentation process.
- ✓It's a classic summer refreshment, often enjoyed on hot days.
- ✓Historically, kvass was sometimes sold from large yellow tanks on the streets of Russia.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add fresh fruits like berries or sliced apples during the primary fermentation for added flavor.
- Infuse with fresh mint leaves during the secondary fermentation for a cooling twist.