World Cup 2018: Russia Not only Known for Its Vodka, Try Kvass

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vodka is often closely identified to Russia, where the 2018 World Cup is currently hosted. The drink is surely not for casual drinkers who do not prefer strong alcoholic beverages, let alone non-drinkers. However, Russia offers an alternative beverage to vodka called Kvass. 

A Russian friend once referred to the Kvass as the country’s popular classic soft drink. He argues that it would be such a shame to visit Russia with a mindset focused solely on vodka. “It genuinely tastes better and the kvass does not get you drunk,” he said.

He further explained that Russians have considered the kvass as their national drink that far exceeds vodka's history with the country. Kvass is said to be equally popular in Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, and several other Eastern European countries. 

Kvass itself is a black bread fermentation that is believed to have originated 50 centuries ago when humans had just mastered the skill of producing beer. Kvass is also mentioned in a 989 ancient Russian chronicle, which far exceeds the age of vodka.

Legend says that kvass was accidentally invented by a farmer after bags of wheat became wet and caused wheat sprouts to emerge. The farmer then tried to salvage it by processing it into flour, which was made into a form of malt and was added with water. The water then fermented and there it was, how the very first kvass was produced. 

Due to similar processing methods, kvass contains a small dose of alcohol ranging from 0.05-1.4 percent depending on its maker. This is also what makes kvass considered as a non-alcoholic beverage and is sold in a wide range of locations from street stalls to regular stores where it gets displayed side-by-side with soft drinks. 

A half-a-liter bottle of kvass would normally cost you 60 ruble (around Rp14,000 in the current exchange rate). However, similar to some types of beverages, you would taste the best kvass that is home-brewed.  

GABRIEL WAHYU TITIYOGA