Porridge ain’t just porridge in Russia
This post first appeared on Russia Insider
There are a lot of strange and mystifying things embedded in Russian traditions. But these traditions can help one better understand the Russian people and their character if effort is made to discover their genesis.
Take porridge, for example. It is such a simple food; and it is not only in Russia where porridge exists as a staple. But it is only in Russia where porridge is seen not just as a meal but as a reflection of a whole philosophy of life. That’s why there are so many proverbs and and so much Russian folk art that confirms this folk wisdom.
Porridge was also always a ritual dish. No wedding or any other important event could go by without porridge. Porridge was an obligatory meal for newlyweds and it was initially seen as a symbol of fertility, prosperity and abundance.
And it is not true that porridge is a simple and soulless food: it should be cooked in the correct manner, for one thing. Take Guryev porridge. Its recipe was included among the list of recipes of delicatessens throughout Europe.
In a word, porridge is not simply porridge in Russia.
This post first appeared on Russia Insider
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