Lithuanians drink millions of bottles of kvass a year – let’s enjoy it and make it at home

The best: natural sweetness

Lithuanians really like kvass and buy more every year. According to Ernita Dapkienė, director of Maxima’s Communication and Image Department, sales of this drink in the retail network increased by one tenth in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period last year.

“We notice that our customers are also willing to try innovations. For example, the cubic drink is especially popular, that we sold almost 1.5 times more this year than last year. Still, its kvass sales far exceed it. This It shows that we are true to traditions, we choose what Lithuanians have been reviving since the 16th century. In addition, we offer our customers natural kvass made by Lithuanian farmers on the shelves of “Links from the Village”. We sold them 40 percent more this year. Consequently, Lithuanians are increasingly inclined to taste a drink with an authentic recipe. Such kvass is both natural and organic. Therefore, we appreciate our visitors’ attention to healthier product alternatives “, says E. Dapkienė.

For those who watch their diet and want to refresh this drink as often as possible in summer, Brigita Baratinskaitė, head of the Maxima Food Production Department, recalls the benefits of kvass for the body. It is really easy to assure it, according to the interlocutor.

“Homemade kvass with the right composition enriches the body with additional B vitamins and good bacteria. Perfectly quenches thirst, improves intestinal function, complements the variety of nutrition. Therefore, it would not be worth spoiling these benefits in homemade kvass by adding a lot of sugar. Its sweetness is perfectly ensured by fruits and berries, which are rich in natural fructose, as well as honey. Rye bread and raisins are also used for the production of homemade kvass. The latter are like wild yeast, together with the natural sugar that determines the fermentation process. The longer this happens, the lower the fructose content and the more acidic and pleasant the kvass will taste, ”says B. Baratinskaitė.

After sharing the benefits and production tricks of this drink, the food expert suggests making it at home yourself.

Traditional homemade honey kvass

You will need: 4 liters of water, 400 g of honey, 60 g of yeast, half a glass of raisins, 1 lemon, a tablespoon of sugar.

Bring the water to a boil, let it cool, but not completely. Then dissolve the honey. The water should now be cold. Then pour the removed yeast with sugar, cover the pot with a clean linen towel, leave it warm overnight. In the morning, remove the foam, add the raisins, pour the squeezed lemon juice. Pour the kvass into bottles, be sure to add raisins to each one, as this will enhance the fermentation process. Place them cold for 2-3 days. Taste.

“It is a simple but very tasty kvass recipe. It uses very little sugar, just for fermentation. The full sweetness of the kvass is ensured by honey, a more natural sweetener. Therefore, after making this drink, it will be possible to enjoy it in a healthier way, trying the traditional taste, which was still enjoyed by the ancient Lithuanians, ”says B. Baratinskaitė.