For today’s Real Food Quote Monday (RFQM), I’m going to share from Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz. Here’s an intriguing quote that tells some history of dairy kefir in the early twentieth century in Russia. I never knew that kefir as we know it had such an exciting past!
“The [kefir] grains were treasured by the people who possessed them, passed down from generation to generation, and definitely not shared with strangers.
Early in the twentieth century, the “All Russian Physicians’ Society” became interested in obtaining the mysterious source of this healthful drink. Since the keepers of the grains did not wish to share them, this required deception and culture thievery. The scheme involved a young Russian woman named Irina Sakharova, whom the physicians hoped would be able to charm a Caucasus prince, Bek-Mirza Barchorov, into giving her some kefir grains. He refused, she tried to leave, he had her kidnapped, she was rescued, and he was charged in the Czar’s courts. For reparations, the young woman was awarded the treasure she sought; the court ordered the prince to give her some of his cherished kefir grains. In 1908, she brought the first kefir grains to Moscow. Kefir became, and remains to this day, a popular drink in Russia. In 1973, at age 85, Irina Sakharova was formally recognized by the Soviet Ministry of Health for her role in bringing kefir to the Russian people.”
What a fun story of intrigue, and with a happy ending! I enjoyed reading it. How about you? Have you tried kefir? Have you read anything interesting lately? Please share in the comments!
Read more about dairy kefir: what it is and how to make it.
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I drink my homemade kefir milk every single day and absolutely LOVE IT! I have trained my daughter-in-law and her sister and their children to drink it. And I am slowly spreading it to my neighbors and four of my best friends. I am amazed at the results they are all having with this wonderful drink.
I drink it if I need a burst of energy during the day. Before going to bed I drink a half of a cup to help me sleep. My husband was having trouble sleeping so he discovered he could sleep better by drinking some just before turning in for the night. Many have told me how it helps an upset stomach.
I did not have any kind of flu shots this year, but have been drinking kefir milk and kefir water. So far I haven’t had any cold or flu. Hopefully it’s the kefir keeping my immune system sharp.
I love to hear more about the amazing food that is centuries old and still thriving. My grains are growing so fast I keep having to give them away.
Thanks for this interesting post, Wardee.
.-= Marly´s last blog post… Christmas Butter Cookies =-.
Marly, I loved hearing about how you love your kefir and how you’re converting everyone around you! 🙂