The word fur (“shuba” in Russian) used to have quite a different meaning in the past. The word “shuba” used to stand for "Boycott and Anathema to Chauvinism and Decline". This opinion is stated in one of the most popular versions of the appearance of this dish. According to it, Dressed Herring is the dish [...]
Buy Christmas Candy Sweet Christmas gifts New Year's time is coming. It is a time of incredible atmosphere, filled with anticipation of wonder, dreams and fun entertainment. Of course, kids love this holiday more than anybody. Sweet New Year gifts are, perhaps, traditional for people all over the world. A sweet gift can be an [...]
It just wouldn’t be Easter Sunday in Russia without Kulich. This tall, cylindrical sweet bread is the centerpiece of a traditional Easter feast. Not to be confused with paskha, a molded sweet cheese dessert made with farmer cheese and dried fruit. Kulich is a delicious combination of bread and cake. Soft and buttery, with a [...]
Traditions of the Great Lent originate from ancient Orthodox Christians. Also known as the Great Fast, the Great Lent is a time of physical cleansing and spiritual introspection. Observers adhere to abstinence from certain foods and indulgences for over 40 days. Bringing the physical and spiritual into balance through fasting, prayer, and repentance, the Great [...]
Maslenitsa is Russian Mardi Gras that lasts a whole week. Sometimes called Butter Week, Cheesefare Week, or Pancake Week, Maslenitsa is a time to eat blini, play games, and have snowball fights. Celebrated a week before the Orthodox Lent (also called Great Lent), Maslenitsa is rooted in ancient Slavic traditions of sun worshipping. In the [...]
Who says Valentine’s Day is for pink chocolates and red cakes? Sure we spend $1.7 billion on Valentine’s Day candy, but that’s even more reason to think outside the box. This year, rather than shelling out dough for sugary treats, consider treating your sweetie to a savory spread of naturally red food. When it comes [...]
Around the world Christmas season is long over, but in Russia Christmas Day was celebrated yesterday. So why do Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7th? And what are some Russian Christmas food traditions? The reasoning is actually pretty straightforward. The predominant religion in Russia is still Russian Orthodoxy which still follows the old [...]
Medovik is a classic Russian honey cake. Soft and scrumptious, medovik is a dessert that dates back more than 200 years. Legend has it that the first medovik honey cake was created in the 1820’s by a personal chef for the wife of Russia’s czar Alexander I. Honey was an important ingredient in Russian cuisine dating [...]
'Twas the night before Christmas and as the chestnuts roasted on an open fire, the children asked their grandparents to tell them a story. About a time long ago, when their great-great-great-grandparents celebrated Christmas in the old country. How did they celebrate this joyous holiday? What were their Russian Christmas traditions? And this is how it began... [...]
During the Holidays, finding and keeping the perfect Christmas tree fresh can be as elusive as seeing Santa. There are dozens of popular varieties to choose from. And no matter which kind of tree it is — fir, spruce or pine — the goal is always to maintain it green and fresh for as long [...]
Many think of vodka as the quintessential Russian drink, but it’s actually hot tea that defines Russian culture. In fact, Russians are obsessed with tea. As a nation, they drink a whopping 180,000 tons of tea per year. For many Russians tea is more than just a drink, it’s a lifestyle. And unlike other cultures [...]
Turkey day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday are all behind us. This means one thing: it's time for serious Holiday Gift shopping. On this #GivingTuesday we've gathered a unique Russian Gift Guide for the Holidays, complete with authentic Russian gift ideas. Finding creative gifts is time consuming. Even online browsing is exhausting. Browsing through thousands of item [...]
