FTC Disclosure: Delicious Obsessions may receive comissions from purchases made through links in this article. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Read our full terms and conditions here.

UPDATE 7/26/12: I no longer use whey as a starter for my ferments (learn why here). I also no longer use Mason jars for my ferments (learn why here). I use anaerobic fermenting vessels exclusively and the improvement in the taste and texture of my ferments is unbelievable! I encourage everyone to take a look at the information regarding Mason jar ferments and come to a decision that best fits their family. I will be releasing updated versions of these recipes soon, as it applies to these anaerobic jars.

I’ll admit, this is the first time I’ve ever tasted beet kvass, let along made it. I was initially going to use the beet kvass recipe from Nourishing Traditions, but I thought I needed to pizazz it up a bit.

There is no shortage of beet kvass recipes on the Web. I reached out to my wonderful friends in the Nourished Living Network and found that a few of them had their own recipes as well. My inspiration for my beet kvass came from my friends Lydia at Divine Health from the Inside Out, Wardeh at GNOWFGLINS, and Melanie at Pickle Me Too.

Beet kvass has long been known as a natural health tonic. It is a fermented beverage made out of beets. It hails from the Ukraine and is also regularly consumed in Russia and Eastern Europe.

This kvass is an excellent blood cleanser and can help with kidney stones, gallbladder issues, and digestion. Beets are little power houses of nutrition and the fermentation process only makes them more powerful. In most places, you can find beets year round, though they are best in the summer, fall, and early winter.

Many of us know that we should strive to “eat for color” and beets are some of the richest colored vegetables available. Beets have unique phytonutrients called betalains, which comes from the rich red color of the beet. Betalains have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and detoxification properties.

Beets are also a good source of two important carotenoids, called lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients help maintain healthy eye function. In addition to the carotenoids, beets are a great source of folate and manganese. Beets are a great mineral source, and the process of fermenting them allows you to consume the nutrients of the beets without the sugar.

A lot of people have told me that they think beets taste like dirt. I prefer to say they taste “earthy”. The beet kvass is tangy, sour, and salty. Many people will drink 2-4 ounces of beet kvass in the morning and the evening to help with digestion and detoxification.

A little bit goes a long way, so this is not something that you’d just sit down and drink a whole bottle of, unlike kombucha or water kefir. If you can drink on an empty stomach, you’ll get the most benefit.

Do you make or drink beet kvass? Have you noticed a change in your body when you drink it? What’s your favorite recipe? Share you thoughts and comments below!

Reference:

  • Beet Kvass“, Diving Health from the Inside Out
  • Beets“, World’s Healthiest Foods
  • Beet“, Wikipedia

Delicious Obsessions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.Read our full terms and conditions here.