What is “kvas”?

Question by db: What is “kvas”? How do you make it?
I had some kind of eastern european drink called kvas
Apparently it was made at home…

What is it exactly? Does it have any health benefits?
And how do I make it at home?

Answers and Views:

Answer by sea_town_hon3y
How to Make KVAS

1 lb stale black bread or 1 lb stale pumpernickel bread
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons raisins
2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves or 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves
2 tablespoons Active dry yeast
1/4 cup luke warm water

Oven must be preheated to 200 degrees.

Cube the bread and then spread on a cookie sheet and place in oven for 1 hour.

Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil and drop in the bread.

Remove from heat, cover with a towel, and allow to sit at room temperature for 8 hours.

Strain through a fine sieve and press the juice from the bread.

Sprinkle the yeast and 1/4 teaspoon of sugar in the cup of lukewarm water and stir to dissolve the yeast completely.

Set aside in a warm place covered by a towel for approx. 10-12 minutes or until. mixture doubles in volume.

Add the mint leaves, and remaining sugar, stir well, then re-cover with the towel and set aside for 8-12 hours more at room temperature.

Again strain the mixture through a fine sieve. Pour into a 1 gal. container, add the raisins, cover the top with plastic wrap, secure with a rubber band, and place in cool NOT cold, spot for 4-5 days or until the raisins are floating and the sediment has sunk to the bottom.

Pour off the clear amber liquid and rebottle in a clean jug or bottles. Refrigerate until ready to use. In Russia this is a beverage as well as cold soup stock. This drink is delicious and unheard of in other parts of the world

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