How to Make Beet Kvass [Homemade Recipe] - My Fermented Foods (2024)

FAQs

How much fermented beet juice per day? ›

Start with a tablespoon and build it up slowly to a cup or more a day. If you only take one probiotic drink then make sure it is beet kvass.

We like to brighten the flavor with a few slices of ginger, and a squeeze of lemon or a sprig of mint are nice additions too. Once the mixture has fermented for anywhere from 3-14 days, you can remove the beets and eat them in salads, but the liquid that is left behind is the real treasure.

You can also add herbs and spices to change things up if you find yourself making kvass regularly. Fresh dill with red beets is particularly good. Kvass is a tasty and healthy probiotic fermented drink—and your liver will thank you for it.

Two cups of beetroot juice daily are recommended to achieve nitrate levels beneficial for cardiovascular health.

The Bottom Line

Betanin is the beetroot pigment that is absorbed by the body upon eating beets, and as a result, may turn your poop and pee pink or red for up to 48 hours after consumption—a phenomenon called beeturia.

And as every chef knows, the best way to test something is to taste it. Kvass can take anywhere between 2-7 days before it's fermented to perfection, so try tasting a little after the second day. What you're looking for is that perfect balance of sweet and sour, with a hint of carbonation.

How will I know when my beet kvass is ready? When the kvass is a deep red color, and you see fizzy bubbles moving upwards in the jar, it's good for drinking! It should smell earthy and salty, like beets. If it smells rancid, throw it out.

How long will my product last in the refrigerator? Keep our sauerkraut in the fridge for 6-9 months and our kvass for 6-8 weeks.

Ferment for around 8 to 12 hours, until you see some bubbling going on, then strain the liquid into a bottle or into recycled soda bottles if you want carbonation. Check the pressure and place the bottles in the refrigerator when ready. Drink within a couple of weeks.

How often should you drink kvass? ›

HOW MUCH DO I DRINK? We recommend starting small with 1 dose per day and building to a maintenance dose of 2 shots per day. As our BEET KVASS is a living, nutritionally dense probiotic liquid tonic, a little goes a long way. Only a small amount daily is required to promote an overall feeling of improved health.

Beets are high in fiber and promote the growth of good bacteria in your gut. Having plenty of healthy bacteria in your digestive system helps fight disease and boost your immune system. Fiber also improves digestion and reduces the risk of constipation.

Traditionally, the water for kvass was first boiled and then the hot water would be poured over hard stale bread. Boiling water kills pathogenic bacteria that could sicken people, making kvass a safer drink than water.

Kombucha, beet kvass, and kefir are non-alcoholic fermented drinks loaded with probiotic healthy goodies. They're commonly thought of as health tonics or alternatives to popular beverages like soft drinks etc. And actually they are quite traditional dating back at least hundreds of years in Eastern Europe and Russia.

In the mid-19th century, kvass was introduced in Xinjiang, where it became known as kavas (Chinese: 格瓦斯; pinyin: géwǎsī) and eventually became one of the region's signature drinks. It is usually consumed cold together with barbecue.

Beet Juice Benefits

In some studies, drinking about 2 cups of beet juice daily or taking nitrate capsules lowered blood pressure in healthy adults. Beet juice may also help your stamina when you exercise. In one study, people who drank beet juice for 6 days had better stamina during intense exercise.

Beware of kidney stones

If you are prone to kidney stones, it's best to avoid drinking large amounts of beetroot juice. Beetroot contains oxalic acid, which, in combination with calcium, can lead to the formation of kidney stones. This also weakens the kidneys in the long run.

Summary. Drinking 250 milliliters of beet juice may help lower blood pressure because beets contain nitrate. Nitrate can increase the production of nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes and dilates the blood vessels. It is best to contact a doctor for advice before adding beet juice to a person's regular diet.

As a fermented food, beet kvass benefits gut health and the digestive system. Culturing the beets in brine allows beneficial bacteria to proliferate just as they do in other fermented foods and drinks like water kefir, milk kefir, and sauerkraut.