This is the time of year I start making beet kvass, just as the bushels and bags of local beets are at the markets. I start making kvass weekly in late September, and continue through Winter to Spring. I’m not sure why I don’t do it more in the summer, perhaps because I enjoy eating locally-grown beets raw. I love the sweetness and crunch of freshly grated or spiralled beets in salads and sandwiches.
I think tepache is more appropriate to drink in hot summer months, and will leave the cooler months to enjoy the earthy, salty, more intense flavour of beet kvass.
What is Kvass?
Kvass is a lightly fermented beverage, traditional in Ukraine, Russia and other regions of Eastern Europe. This drink is generally made using stale bread, water and flavourings. The version I like to make is a vegetable kvass, using beets instead of bread. Carrots can also be used, but I prefer the deep crimson, full-bodied flavour of red beets.
Beet kvass has the bounty of nutrients found in beets: high in vitamin C, folate and iron, among other nutrients. Kvass also has the bonus of beneficial, live microbes from the fermentation process. I like to start my day with a small glass of beet kvass, and will also have a shot when I’m craving something salty and savoury. Beet kvass is also a delicious addition to vinaigrettes, especially for Fall salads, and as a base for borscht (of course!!).
Like tepache, beet kvass is a wild ferment (no starter culture is needed). The naturally present yeast and bacteria are enough to ferment the kvass. It is also a very quick ferment and can be ready in 2-3 days. The flavour can also be enhanced by doing a second fermentation (bottling the kvass and leaving to sit at room temperature for an extra few days.) I like to add ginger to my kvass and leave it to second ferment for at least 3 days.
Beet kvass lasts a long time once refrigerated. I actually sampled a bottle that I left for almost a year in my fridge and couldn’t get over the amazing flavour and fizz!
HOW TO MAKE BEET KVASS
Fermentation Time: 2-5 days
INGREDIENTS
- 2 large beets (3-4 medium) washed and trimmed of greens
- 1- 1.5 tbsp salt (non-iodized)
- ginger slices (optional)
- 1.5 litres filtered water
- glass fermentation container
DIRECTIONS
- Wash and trim beets of greens. Leave skins on, cut into ?” pieces.
2. Place beets pieces in fermentation container, filling approximately ? to 1/3 in container.
Add salt and top with water, leaving ?” headspace from the top of the container. Lid the container and give it a swirl to mix contents.
3. Leave beet mixture to ferment out of direct sunlight for 2-5 days. The longer you leave it, the stronger the flavour. To avoid mold, try to give the jar a swirl at least once a day. After a few days, you will see bubbles appear, and possibly a harmless foam or scum on the surface. This is a good indication of fermentation.
4. To store, strain the beet mixture using a sieve. You can reuse the beets for an additional batch of kvass (the next batch will be lighter in colour), or use them in another dish (salads, soups, etc)
5. The kvass can be bottled and put directly in the fridge, or you can do a second fermentation to add flavour. Leave the bottled kvass at room temperature for 2-3 days, then place it in the fridge to decelerate fermentation.
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