Chances are you may have never heard of fermented beets if you are reading this. It’s no secret that foods like beets are great for your well-being!
Benefits of beet kvass include improved blood flow, a healthy source of probiotics, a natural energy booster, and enough nitrate content to help blood pressure. It also contains a ton of vitamins and nutrients for good heart health.
Beetroot juice can be an awesome way to build health and wellness into a routine solely by food intake. Beets are commonly known as a superfood and using them for good gut health is a huge plus.
What Is Beet Kvass?
Kvass is a fermented beet juice traditionally made in central and Eastern Europe. The original version of kvass is made from fermented rye bread. Many versions of kvass have been developed over the years including kvass made using beets.
The benefits of fermented beets is created by friendly bacteria (Lactobacillus bacteria). Beet kvass has a briny, tangy flavor which is definitely an acquired taste. It can be flavored using ginger, mint, oranges or strawberry.
Easy Beet Kvass Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 medium sized beets
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of sea salt
- ¼ cup of whey (optional). If you use whey, reduce the amount of sea salt by half.
- Optional flavorings such as orange peels, lemon, ginger or spices.
- Spring/bottled water.
Things needed from the kitchen:
- 1-quart jar with a canning or plastic lid
- strainer
Process:
- Clean the beets thoroughly and chop the tops and tails off.
- Peel the beets
- Dice the beets into medium sized chunks (½ inch cubes).Be careful not to dice them too small because this will make the fermentation process happen too fast and cause production of alcohol.
- Place the beets in a clean jar.
- Add the salt and flavoring of your choice
- Add water. Cover the beets with water leaving one inch of space at the top of the jar.
- Cover the jar.
- Let the beverage ferment. Leave the jar to stand in room temperature for a few days.
- When it is ready, strain out the beets and put the kvass in the refrigerator. You can start drinking it immediately but it is best after being in the fridge for 2 days or so.
Purpose of Key Ingredients
Sea salt: This salt is unrefined. It is completely pure, exactly as it was found in nature. Do not use iodized salt because iodine may interfere with the fermentation process.
Whey: This is a thin whitish or yellowish liquid formed in the process of making cheese or yoghurt.When making beet kvass, whey is used to speed up fermentation but it changes the flavor of the drink. Some people prefer to leave it out altogether so they can have the natural flavor of fermented beets and nothing else.
Spring water: Tap water is likely to contain chlorine which could interfere with the fermentation process. If you don’t have access to spring water, boil tap water and let it cool completely before using it.
Health Benefits of Drinking Beet Kvass
There are numerous health benefits of beet kvass. These are a few of them.
Rich Source of Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria which help restore a natural balance of in the digestive system. Probiotic treatment is most common in treatment of diarrhea and constipation. Where diarrhea is concerned, probiotics have proven useful in shortening the course of diarrhea in infants and children.
For constipation, researchers have found that probiotics helped increase the number of bowel movements per week by 1.3.
Beets are a blood tonic
Tonics are liquid supplements with medicinal properties used to promote general health and wellness. Beet kvass is an effective blood tonic which helps the kidney in the process of blood detoxification and elimination of toxins from the body.
It is also rich in iron which is used to manufacture red blood cells. This tonic also helps to balance the pH of blood and maintain it at normal levels.
Natural energy booster with nitric oxide
Beet kvass is rich in nitrates. When consumed, the body converts nitrates into nitric oxide. This nitric oxide conversion creates a compound that is well known for energy boosting and stamina.
Beet juice improves blood circulation
It is a natural vessel dilator meaning that it widens blood vessels which automatically improves blood circulation and oxygen supply to all parts of the body. Increased oxygen supply translates to increased energy. This is why beet juice is a popular work-out drink.
What does beet kvass taste like?
Beet kvass (fermented beetroot) is an acquired taste so don’t be surprised if it’s an earthy flavor. If you can stand it and hopefully enjoy the drink, take advantage of the health benefits of beet kvass and the fact that it can be stored in the refrigerator for months before it goes bad.
In fact, it continues to ferment, albeit slowly, when it is in the fridge. If you appreciate the tangy taste caused by fermentation, you may just enjoy your beet kvass a little more every day.
Get your daily dose of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential vitamin for many body parts including the heart. It acts as a vessel dilator that widens blood vessels to allow increased blood flow and oxygen access to the heart muscle. This prevents cardiovascular degeneration, also known as heart disease.
Like most vegetables, beets contain a lot of Vitamin C. One of Vitamin C’s functions is to improve vascular flow.
Is beet kvass an alcoholic beverage?
It is considered a non-alcoholic drink because it contains very low levels of alcohol. TTBGov says that any extractive over 0.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) fit for beverage purposes is classified as alcohol content.
Source: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau – Alcohol FAQs
How can I tell when my beet kvass is ready?
When it is ready the liquid in the jar is deep red in color and you will notice some bubbles rising to the top of the jar.
What is whey and why is it used in beet kvass?
Whey is a thin liquid formed in the process of making cheese, yoghurt and other like dairy products. It is useful in the process because it speeds up fermentation and slightly changes the flavor of the final beverage.
How long should beet kvass ferment?
You can create the fermented beet juice in a few days to a week. Steph says a few days and the Nourished Kitchen says 1 week.
How long does beet kvass last?
As soon as it is ready for drinking, put it in the refrigerator. It can keep for several months as long as it stays refrigerated.
How much beet kvass should I drink a day?
It is actually beneficial to have a dose of beet kvass every day. If you intend to incorporate it into your diet, start with a small amount (about 1 ounce per day) and gradually increase the amounts.
Is Beet Kvass the same as fermented beets?
The fermented beets are used in the recipe, so think of the Beet Kvass as the entire drink with fermented beets as an ingredient. Some recipes call for the fermented beetroot to be flavored with other ingredients along with the beets because of the earthy or salty taste.
