Food in Russia

Only about 10% of the land in Russia can be used for farming because of the cold. The largest crops grown are potatoes, barley, and wheat. A traditional Russian meal consists of vegetables and bread. Fresh meat and vegetables were once very hard to get, but new trade agreements have increased the supply. Borscht, a soup made from beets, is a traditional food.

Russians mainly eat fish, potatoes, meat, cabbage, bread, and meat dumplings. They love sweets and generally their teeth show this, as probably 95% of the population have some false teeth. Even high school kids have golden caps from all the sugars they put in their bodies. Russians love to go out to the forest and have picnics on the weekends. There they cook shaschlick (shishkebab) over an open fire. From their little dachas (garden homes) they cultivate all types of edible berries and fruits which they then use to make jams and preservatives. Russians are fascinated with bananas but they are such expensive imports that they are rarely eaten. Russians primarily drink tea.

The raw smoked salmon probably the best, as well as the various salads created with eggs, cabbage, mayonnaise, and beets. All kinds of salads here are nutritious and very tasty.

Children in Russia celebrate their birthdays twice every year. Children are often named after a Saint, so they celebrate their birthday again on the day of the Saint. A birthday pie is usually served instead of a cake.