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Have you ever tried making beet kvass at home? The earthy, sour, salty, and sweet taste of this lacto-fermented healthy beverage is full of probiotics. What is more interesting is it’s ridiculously affordable and easy to brew it right on your kitchen. If you are eager to find out how to make Beet Kvass, read on to find all you need to know about it.
What is beet kvass?
Kvass made from beetroot is called beet kvass. In ancient times, people in Russia drank kvass, a traditionally made fermented tonic from rye bread or sourdough known for its numerous health properties.
The word ‘Kvass’ in Russian means “sour beverage”. Even today, it is the drink of choice of health enthusiasts on the street corners of Ukraine and Russia. Although kvass is more of a grain-based beverage, it can also be made from fruits and vegetables, with beetroot being the most popular choice.
Beet kvass benefits
Beetroot is one of the most nutritious kvass bases. Beets are a powerhouse of nutrition and a range of benefits as given below:
- Beets Kvass possesses phytonutrients that are known for their cancer-fighting potential. Phytonutrients like sulforaphane in beetroot may raise the levels of certain enzymes in the body. These enzymes play a key role in inhibiting disease processes.
- Being rich in probiotic properties, Beet kvass may support digestion and reduce constipation, indigestion, and bloating.
- Beets Kvass may also prevent tumor growth. It may be effective against the cancers of breasts, pancreas, and prostate.
- Beetroot is the best resource for detoxifying blood. Beets have the ability to bind to toxins in the body and support their elimination. It can help in the cleansing of the liver and purifying the blood.
- Beet kvass has naturally occurring nitrates that are converted to form nitric oxide. Nitric oxide, in turn, helps to dilate the blood vessels thereby improving blood flow to the vital organs and controlling blood pressure. This property of beet kvass could be beneficial for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes.
- Finally, beet kvass may also help to reduce inflammation. It contains betaine, a nutrient that protects body cells, proteins, and enzymes from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. This helps to keep inflammation under control and protects the healthy tissues, including the vascular system.
Potential side effects
Beet Kvass is a virtual treasure of nutritional goodness. The only downfall of this healthy beverage is its sugar content. Beetroot contains a higher amount of sugars compared to other veggies. Hence, it is best to limit the consumption of beet kvass to not more than three servings per week, especially if you are diabetic.
How to make beet kvass
Beet kvass can be made simply with just beetroot, salt, and water. Depending on the ingredients, the surrounding environment, and the taste you prefer, the fermentation process can take about a couple of days to a week.
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Beet Kvass Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Description
You can drink this Beet Kvass straight-up as your daily health tonic or use it for cooking as a replacement for vinegar. It can also work as a great option for soups and salad dressings.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces of beets, cut into cubes
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of sea salt
- Optional flavorings: lemon, ginger, orange, and spices
Instructions
- Scrub the beetroots and trim their nails and tops. But leave the skin intact.
- Cut the beets into cubes of 1/2-inch sizes. You do not have to cut them into precise sizes or shapes. Just give them enough surface area so that they can ferment faster. However, do not chop or grate the beets finely as it may cause them to ferment very rapidly resulting in alcohol production.
- Place the cubed beets in a clean jar.
- Add salt and flavorings such as ginger, orange, lemon, or spices.
- Add water just enough to cover the beets leaving a headspace of at least 1-inch at the top of the jar.
- Then, cover the jar tightly and let it stand at room temperature. You will see bubbles appearing inside the jar and the brine seeping out of the lid. Then, place a plate or bowl under the jar to catch the overflow, if any.
- Open the jar once daily to let some gas produced during fermentation to escape. Taste the liquid to check if the fermentation is adequate. If any scum or mold has formed at the top, skim it off.
- When you feel the taste is strong enough for your preferences, strain out the beet and transfer the liquid kvass to a container.
- You can drink it right away or store it in the refrigerator. It stays good for at least a month.
Notes
To make another batch of beet kvass, leave a small amount of brine and beets in the jar. Add a teaspoon of salt and fill with water. Follow the same process discussed earlier in the recipe until it has fermented well. You can make the next batch in a similar way until the taste of beet kvass seems too weak
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Fermented drink
- Method: Fermentation
- Cuisine: Russian
Where to buy beet kvass
If you are pressed for time, you can buy Beet Kvass online.
Beet Kvass by Oregon Brineworks
- Traditional, Savory Beet Kvass. 6 Bottles included (12 fl oz each)
- Delicious. Certified organic by Oregon Tilth.
- Billions of Probiotics per Bottle
- Refrigerate Upon Arrival
- Raw & Fermented
Beet kvass from Oregon Brineworks is an organic, fermented, raw, probiotic-rich beverage. It is prepared in a traditional manner to ensure the flavors of Beet Kvass are preserved. The taste is simply delicious and the nutritional content is awesome.
Each serving of this beet kvass contains just 25 calories, of which a very small amount comes from carbs and nothing from fats. This is what makes it one of the best choices of beet kvass for you to try when you are short of time to prepare it at home.
Conclusion
Beet kvass might be an acquired taste for most. However, those who love it praise its energizing effects and health properties enthusiastically. Like most other lacto-fermented, probiotic foods, beet kvass may promote digestion and aid intestinal health. With so many benefits, ease of preparation, and unique taste, Beet Kvass is definitely worth a try!
Going to try this this weekend! I have a bunch of beautiful golden beets, do you think they would work the same as the red?
I believe kvass with golden beets will taste great 🙂 You may want to add a couple of teaspoons of turmeric for more enhanced flavor. I just came across this recipe: https://www.healingharvesthomestead.com/home/2017/4/29/golden-beet-turmeric-kvass-a-fermenting-success-how-to-make-golden-beet-kvass.