Kissel

Kissel is an interesting fruit combination, often referred to as a dessert drink or soup, usually made with refreshing summer berries. It is prepared with water, mashed fruit or fruit juice, and thickening agents such as cornstarch or potato starch. Kissel can be served hot or cold, and depending on the amount of starch, its consistency varies from liquid to firm and creamy. Liquid kissel is most often served as a drink, or a soup variation, when it is combined with sliced fruit and eaten with a spoon. The firm variety is usually eaten as a refreshing cold dessert, commonly topped with cream, and often combined with pancakes and waffles. Russians prefer to make their traditional kissel with cranberries, cherries, and redcurrants. However, kissel and its variations are also commonly eaten in Poland, Lithuania, Finland, Ukraine, Latvia, and Estonia. Typically, each country has a special and favorite fruit to employ in kissel, such as gooseberries, raspberries, and even the tart rhubarb. In Russia, kissel is regarded as an ancient dish, with its first written mention dating back to the 12th century. It is an important part of Russian tradition and a dish often described in myths and folk tales. Today, in Russian households is it usually prepared with a store-bought powder mix, but the freshly prepared kissel, with luscious summer fruit, is still considered the ultimate version of the dish.