The History of Ukrainian Borshch

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  • Опубліковано 20 лют 2023
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    UKRAINE: FOOD AND HISTORY: amzn.to/3HIfK5H
    Ingredients for the beet kvass
    3-5 beets (very well scrubbed)
    Lukewarm water
    Salt (1-2 tbs per liter of water)
    Optional:
    1 tbs sugar
    Parsley
    Dill
    Coriander seeds
    Parsnip
    Garlic
    Dark Rye Bread
    Ingredients for the borsch
    1 head of cabbage
    2 pounds (1kg) peeled beets
    2-3 pounds (1+ kg) Pork Ribs with the bone
    1/2 pound (225g) Salo (pork fat)
    2 diced yellow onions
    Smetana
    **Some of the links and other products that appear on this video are from companies which Tasting History will earn an affiliate commission or referral bonus. Each purchase made from these links will help to support this channel with no additional cost to you. The content in this video is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available.
    Subtitles: Jose Mendoza | IG @worldagainstjose
    PHOTO CREDITS
    Kvass: By Samotny Wędrowiec - CC BY-SA 3.0, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...
    Hogweed: CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
    Borschchagivka: By Master.HD - Panoramic view [125° FOV, WNW-NE], CC BY 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
    Green Borscht: Off-shell, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
    #tastinghistory #Ukraine #borsch

КОМЕНТАРІ • 4,9 тис.

  • @TastingHistory
    @TastingHistory  Рік тому +387

    Thanks again to Bright Cellars for sponsoring this video and for the limited-time offer! Click here bit.ly/BrightCellarsTastingHistory13 to get up to $100 off your first 4 boxes

    • @akagitsune1708
      @akagitsune1708 Рік тому +2

      @@matthewmorrisdon5491 Your friend is very smart - he knows exactly which side in a partner should be valued 😆

    • @lesterstone8595
      @lesterstone8595 Рік тому +4

      So much SOUP-erstition surrounds this dish. 🤣

    • @bgclo
      @bgclo Рік тому +8

      I like cooking with wine. Sometimes it even makes it into the food.

    • @maxdejong4203
      @maxdejong4203 Рік тому +12

      I hope that the Ukrainians see this and will appreciate what you did for them.

    • @VicariousReality
      @VicariousReality Рік тому +1

      As an ethnic Ukrainian from West Ukraine, proud nationalist and Banderite, this was an alright video, but a few corrections:
      1. There is only Kyiv, there is no, never was, and never will be any "Kiev".
      2. Borshch, as we know it today as a red soup with beets as a primary ingredient, has an unclear history in terms of when it was officially made. It was always Ukrainian, formed in Ukraine by Ukrainians, but the most accurate estimate of when modern borsch was made was approximately in the 1700's, after the formation of the Cossacks.
      It is impossible for the Don Cossacks to have made it, however, as they were only ever mindless puppets of the Russia that were enemies to actual, Ukrainian Cossacks like the Danube or Zaporizhian ones (There is no Zaporozhia, only Zaporizhia), and actual Ukrainian Cossacks preserved and cultivated Ukrainian culture. On top of that, Don Cossacks were mostly in the modern Southwest Russia, far away from beets, and thus could not hope to use it as an ingredient - they only ever ate dirt. Therefore, 1683 is a more accurate year for the creation of modern Ukrainian borshch, even if beets were common in Ukraine at the time.
      3. "Little Russia" was always a derogatory term for Ukraine that was only used by its enemies. It was originally coined by Boleslav Yery II in 1335, who occupied the West Ukrainian successor kingdom of Halych-Volyn, succeeding Kyivan Ruthenia after it fell to the Mongols of the Golden Horde, a.k.a. the actual creators of the Russia/the Muscovia, who founded Muscovia as a Mongol vassal. He occupied it because he was only a successor to the Kingdom of Halych-Volyn because his mother was Ukrainian, while his father was Polish, and due to his patriarchal influence, saw the Kingdom he ruled as a state to subjugate under Poland.
      Boleslav Yery II sent a letter to Dietrich von Altenburg of the Teutonic Knights in 1335, wherein he described himself as the ruler of "Little Russia", who in turn sent this information to Constantinople as late as 1361, which is why Byzantium incorrectly referred to Ukraine as "Little Russia" for so long - it was always a mistake, and only ever made in the name of oppression.
      3.5. "Little Russia" was only ever used in imperial contexts by oppressors, and never by actual Ukrainians, like Cossacks. The term "Ukraine" dates back to 1187, when it was first mentioned in the Hypatian Codex (A historical record of Kyivan Ruthenia), referring to the exceptional military service provided by Volodymyr Hlibovych throughout his decades of tenure as the ruler of the Kyivan Ruthenian principality of Pereiaslav, who spent his life protecting the capital, or heart, of Ruthenia, Kyiv ("ѡ нем же Оукраина много постона", or "The Heartland greatly bemoaned him", bemoan being a synonym for mourn, and Heartland being a synonym for Homeland, thus having Ukraine mean and refer to the term Homeland). Ukraine was used throughout the Middle Ages to refer to Ukraine, by both outsiders and Ukrainians themselves, especially Cossacks. "Ukrainian", however, is a relatively recent term, being used only as late as the 1800's.
      The term "Little Russia" should be relegated to the deepest bowels of Hell, along with the Russia itself.
      4. Mykola, not Mikola.
      Despite my criticisms of your video, know that they are constructive. I appreciate you, as a non-Ukrainian, making such a video about my homeland, especially now, in its time of greatest need. Wishing you and your loved ones all the best.
      Glory to Ukraine 🇺🇦, Death to its enemies.

  • @archeanna1425
    @archeanna1425 Рік тому +6881

    When I asked my grandmother, who was born in the Ukraine, for her recipe for borshch, she looked at me seriously and said, "Well, first, you go out into the garden and see what is ready." This was extremely authentic borshch.

    • @inisipisTV
      @inisipisTV Рік тому +353

      Yeah, I guess that’s how it all started. Most poor people food all start like that.

    • @AA-cf4es
      @AA-cf4es Рік тому +159

      Kinda the same as pizza, don't ya think? :)

    • @rake667
      @rake667 Рік тому +516

      @@inisipisTV it's not really about poverty, it's just what happens when you're close to the food source. You could own the whole village, why would you eat things under or over ripe? The reason we're so comfortable with getting our favorite produce all year round or getting the exact ingredients for a particular recipe every time isn't because we're richer, it's because in the supermarket (or even the farmer's market) they are never really that good, even when they are in season. Produce is picked early for commerce so it survives the trip. Source: grew up on a farm

    • @user-vr3gr9ex1l
      @user-vr3gr9ex1l Рік тому

      @Strelok © She clearly said from Ukraine. Go drool on putin, troll

    • @poetryflynn3712
      @poetryflynn3712 Рік тому +50

      @@rake667 Further, Gmos, Bio-Engineered Crops, Preservatives, and preservation techniques go a long way. In all reality, wealth hasn't really increased at all over the years, what has increased is the knowledge to get said wealth.

  • @MasterShake9000
    @MasterShake9000 Рік тому +2484

    “Fermented and lightly alcoholic” is how I plan to live in my older years

  • @nightmusicx7492
    @nightmusicx7492 9 місяців тому +704

    Hi. I’m from Ukraine and was born and lived in Borschagivka. We moved to the US almost a decade ago and seeing the picture of it made me cry. I haven’t been there for almost 6 years now and I miss it dearly. The bridge actually led to a market where I used to go with my grandma shopping and a little right of the picture is the school I attended as a child. Your video means so much to me. Thank you. This brings back good memories of my life. ❤️

    • @Normal_macdonald
      @Normal_macdonald 7 місяців тому +1

      Ukraine isn't a real country you're Russian

    • @nonameuserua
      @nonameuserua 7 місяців тому +14

      It may be the first time in my life I found some connection between Borščahivka and boršč 😆

    • @Lesia-Arda
      @Lesia-Arda 6 місяців тому +20

      Привіт, друже) Живу саме на Борщагівці!

    • @DOSgameLab
      @DOSgameLab 5 місяців тому +25

      Hey man, Borshaga is still here and holding on. :) Hope you and your family are safe and good too. Слава Україні ❤

    • @Normal_macdonald
      @Normal_macdonald 5 місяців тому +3

      @@DOSgameLab simp

  • @Svitojus
    @Svitojus Рік тому +158

    My god... Max! You are a perfectionist when it comes to correct naming and pronunciation. Unrivaled.

    • @annek3296
      @annek3296 5 місяців тому +11

      I second that!! I just got off an online meeting with my Ukrainian buddy (I'm a volunteer through ENGin to help young Ukrainians with their English). I had sent her a link to this video. She thought you, Max, must be Ukrainian, since your pronunciation was so spot on. Well done!

  • @pet_ricia
    @pet_ricia Рік тому +2216

    I'm native Polish speaker and your "barszcz" pronunciation was great! I'm impressed 😁

    • @dylanbowlin3646
      @dylanbowlin3646 Рік тому +29

      Borshch to me sounds like an interesting dish to try. I tried menudo (a Mexican soup/stew with animal brains and innards) that had some rather intriguing textures and flavors that I was not expecting let me tell you folks BUT, in a good way I can at least say that I’ve tried animal brains and innards in a soup/stew and it was different from what I usually eat.

    • @moublabla2306
      @moublabla2306 Рік тому +47

      @@dylanbowlin3646 you can try Polish soup Czernina, its made with duck blood. Not my personal favourite but it can be another I interesting flavour for you to taste.

    • @amb1u5
      @amb1u5 Рік тому +23

      that's a big complement when we consider how difficult polish is

    • @dwaynewladyka577
      @dwaynewladyka577 Рік тому +20

      I heard Max say other words, and he was very accurate. I have a mixed Slavic ancestry, including Polish and Ukrainan. Borscht is my favorite soup. It tastes so good. Cheers!

    • @patron8597
      @patron8597 Рік тому +44

      Yeah, he always seems to put a lot of effort in accurate pronunciation, no matter what language.

  • @Aramintava
    @Aramintava Рік тому +717

    Pro tip from an old Polish lady - during the fermentation process you need to tie string around the towel and the lip of the container. We used either cheesecloth or a kitchen towel as the cover because they let the stuff breath. You tie it up so you don't get a jar full of fruit flies! They'll be in your kitchen but not your soup.

    • @medleyshift1325
      @medleyshift1325 Рік тому +87

      Tip on fermenting anything. Make sure the liquid is above any of the solids. This will dramatically lower the chance of bad bacteria and mold because they will not have a surface to grow on. Also the string with cheese cloth is a great trick!

    • @loriki8766
      @loriki8766 Рік тому +21

      Good advice! I do that with my sourdough starter too - I cover it with a thin towel and secure it with a rubber band.

    • @yllejord
      @yllejord Рік тому +5

      @@medleyshift1325 how do you make sure of that? A lot of the solids just float. I've always wondered.

    • @hrodga
      @hrodga Рік тому +19

      @@yllejord I suppose you could always use something non-reactive and weighty, as long as it's been sterilized.
      Actually, I got curious, so I just looked it up. They make glass weights for fermentation/pickling in wide mouth mason jars; you can get a set of 6 for less than $20.

    • @T33K3SS3LCH3N
      @T33K3SS3LCH3N Рік тому +16

      @@yllejord put something on top of it. Some people put a smaller jar inside to weigh the solids down, or a small cup or saucer. You can also buy specifically made fermenting jar weights, which are thick glass disks. Just make sure they're the right size so you can still fit them into the jar while also being as wide as possible.
      A few pieces might still float up at the sides if you don't have a very well fitting one, but it should be very little so you can just throw those away.

  • @olhazakharova9304
    @olhazakharova9304 9 місяців тому +278

    Ukrainian here. My friend was visiting a market here in Kyiv oblast' last autumn and he was surprised to see mushrooms being sold there. He approached a seller, clearly a native to one of the region's villages and asked him how did they manage to get those. In those types of markets, people usually sell something they've grown themselves or gathered. So it is obvious they had to go to a forest, wich were and still are filled with land mines. So the seller confirmed that he and other locals were going to a forest to get the mushrooms. My friend asked if they were not afraid of the mines. To which the seller casually answered that 3 of his co-villagers got blown up, but they all have to earn money somehow and feed their families.
    Thank you for educating your audience about borshch history and our life right now! Slava Ukraini💛💙

    • @Trund27
      @Trund27 6 місяців тому +12

      Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 ❤

    • @olhazakharova9304
      @olhazakharova9304 5 місяців тому +1

      @@user-hc1um8lq9n расія складається тільки з лайна і окупованих земель інших народів. Так от залиште своє лайно собі.

    • @bakinazim
      @bakinazim 4 місяці тому +7

      Slava Ukrainskim Geroyam 🇺🇦

    • @cioccolateriaveneziana
      @cioccolateriaveneziana 2 місяці тому +6

      Land mines should be automatically considered war crime, in my opinion. It's so easy to place them, so difficult to get rid of them. Look at former Yugoslavia: almost 40 years after the war, still there are mines.

  • @oleksbabieiev
    @oleksbabieiev 4 місяці тому +32

    As a Ukrainian and a big fan of borshch, I can confidently say that this is by far the BEST video on borshch in English that I have ever seen. Good recipe, good chef, interesting information, and great attention to detail. Love it. This is a more than decent presentation of the main Ukrainian dish. I will definitely share this with my foreign friends. Thank you, Max and everyone who helped create this video!

    • @andersjjensen
      @andersjjensen Місяць тому +4

      For someone "who's just a youtube entertainer" Max has impeccable integrity. If he's not sure of a fact he conveys that clearly, and he goes to great lengths to get pronunciation. Not to mention that he also treats sensitive topics with an enormous amount of respect.

  • @Mischivous_kiwi
    @Mischivous_kiwi Рік тому +1296

    I'm Ukrainian and as soon as i saw this video in my recommendations I gathered my parents and grandma just to watch it together. My grandma is a retired Ukrainian history teacher and she loved the history of Borshch, told me to put a like under your video which i was going to do anyway😅. We all cheered at your gorgeous pronunciation, you did a great job. Thank you for this episode Max, it is very heart-warming during this trying times💙💛

    • @ZhovtoBlakytniy
      @ZhovtoBlakytniy Рік тому +69

      I watched with my daughter, she was thrilled to see her favorite cooking channel do a video on borscht. I learned something, I was always under the impression that the name for borscht was derived from the Ukrainian word for beets _buryak_

    • @SizzleitupwithSara
      @SizzleitupwithSara Рік тому +20

      💙 💛

    • @CaptainGrimes1
      @CaptainGrimes1 Рік тому +10

      🤍💙❤️

    • @kimquinn7728
      @kimquinn7728 Рік тому +65

      @@alexflayz3600 What a killjoy you are! I speak no language other than English but sit through many foreign language movies because I also am not blind and can follow along by what I see...imagine that! No need to be so incredibly rude to that commenter. Unbelievable.

    • @otavio8566
      @otavio8566 Рік тому +38

      @@alexflayz3600 where was it written that she didnt speak english? and beyond that, there are subtitles available...

  • @CH-eg6qw
    @CH-eg6qw Рік тому +485

    I was very moved by the story about the village elders picking mushrooms in the forest as well. I feel it's appropriate because this is the "history" we are living today. These are the stories that the children in the village will tell their grandchildren. How they survived because the very old, who too many discount as "no longer useful" risked thier lives so the village could eat. It is beautiful!

    • @westzed23
      @westzed23 Рік тому +40

      The whole community working together to survive. I did shed tears.

    • @maryannferguson6291
      @maryannferguson6291 Рік тому +46

      I was tearing up at the thought that the oldest residents would risk themselves, but also knowing the forest so well, to pick the mushrooms to preserve both their culture and the people of the community.

    • @Amy_the_Lizard
      @Amy_the_Lizard Рік тому +13

      I got chills just hearing about it

    • @CatsPajamas23
      @CatsPajamas23 Рік тому +8

      I agree. Well said.

    • @alexda5101
      @alexda5101 Рік тому +4

      Btw, I know people from Kiev that think that a real ukranian borsch is traditionally made from mushrooms...

  • @ameliedzinka
    @ameliedzinka 8 місяців тому +119

    Wow, as a Ukrainian, I'm so impressed. I didn't know any of this stuff. That was the most compelling story of the borsch that I ever heard.

  • @user-kd3sd2gx8d
    @user-kd3sd2gx8d Рік тому +364

    Як правильно сказано: "Для приготування борщу знадобиться найбільша каструля яка у вас є". Це абсолютно точно. Борщу повинно бути багато 😁🥰

    • @LittleMelianna
      @LittleMelianna Рік тому +18

      I щоб ложка стояла )

    • @aiko9393
      @aiko9393 Рік тому +28

      When I was pregnant, i was so nauseous that I can only eat a third of what I usually eat. I was advised to try things I haven't eaten, so I tried making some borsch with the recipe from Life of Boris. Only made a small pot because of the nausea thing, and sub the pork with beef.
      I finished the whole pot myself lol

    • @Rhinemann
      @Rhinemann Рік тому +5

      ​@@aiko9393 good for you, borshch is one of superior home cooking dishes.

    • @loraforina
      @loraforina 9 місяців тому +10

      Як українка, мушу сказати, що іноді теж доводиться використовувати більшу (або додаткову) кастрюлю під час приготування борщу. ))

    • @Lesia-Arda
      @Lesia-Arda 6 місяців тому +7

      Навіть якщо плануєш приготувати трошечки - все одно виходить найбільша каструля. Магія!

  • @MissAnastasiyaD
    @MissAnastasiyaD Рік тому +1236

    I just adore that you don't actually translate 'salo' or smetana☺
    And all the Ukrainian words you use - your pronunciation is just on point 👏

    • @RC-nq7mg
      @RC-nq7mg Рік тому +48

      I cant think of any way to try and translate salo or smetana directly in english without just outright describing what they are. Western culture just doesnt have anything similar. Closest to salo might be bacon or saltpork, but are very different from salo, closest to smetana might be sour cream, but they are not the same thing. Salo is fantastic.

    • @user-pf8hs7nv6z
      @user-pf8hs7nv6z Рік тому +8

      Miller is used to not translating ingridients or dishes

    • @lontroll
      @lontroll Рік тому +14

      О, тут так) я навіть подумала, що він має українське коріння. Бо вперше цей канал бачу, а тут ютуп рекомендував.

    • @Ran1906
      @Ran1906 Рік тому +2

      Boy, you LOVE pickled stuff in Ukraine. I have to taste pickled tomatoes and now - salo :D

    • @lontroll
      @lontroll Рік тому +4

      @@Ran1906 Ukraine is not only pickled or fermented vegetables and salo. Really.

  • @Dr.Quarex
    @Dr.Quarex Рік тому +391

    Borshch literally changed my life. The first time I had it the person serving it to me was like "try it with sour cream" and I said "how much should I use?" and she said "however much you like!" and my eyes got bigger and I basically ate half borshch/half sour cream and it was the greatest thing I had eaten in ages. Now I basically put Greek yogurt or sour cream in 75% of the things I make

    • @MmmVomit
      @MmmVomit Рік тому +30

      If you like that, try sweetened sour cream on desserts instead of whipped cream. I first had it in a Japanese restaurant with a slice of sweet potato pie. Changed my life.

    • @katvsdaedreamz8628
      @katvsdaedreamz8628 Рік тому +13

      Sour cream/greek yogurt makes almost everything better!

    • @CleoHarperReturns
      @CleoHarperReturns Рік тому +26

      @@MmmVomit Both of you should try cherry pelmeni (pierogi/pieroshki/whatever). Dessert dumplings made with cherries instead of savory ingredients served with sour cream - either sweetened or plain and still warm. SO GOOD.

    • @tridsatchetyre
      @tridsatchetyre Рік тому +14

      @@CleoHarperReturns It's called varenyky, actually, also a traditional Ukrainian dish, and their peculiarity lies in the fact that they made from the sour cherries, not the sweet ones which you are used to in the West. Pierogi is polish version of dumplings with mashed potatoes, cheese, cabagge/sauerkraut, mushrooms, meat (same fillings can be in varenyky). But pelmeni is dumplings only with meat, originally from indigenous peoples of russia (most of which suffered genocide from the russian empire). And "pyrizhky" is a yeast dough pastry, they’re closer to Empanadas than to dumplings. So you can't call dumplings with cherries that way.

    • @ekramer2478
      @ekramer2478 Рік тому +10

      @@tridsatchetyre Grandma was a Kosher dairy chef from Ukraine. Her pierogi were generally just very browned onions, potatoes, and the noodle cover, fried in the end in butter. She would have been oh wow...like 124 or so this year. She passed in around 1989 or so. No one knew her exact age but it was over 100. She had been a farm girl in Ukraine. Did I mention I might be willing to almost commit a felony for just ONE more of her pierogi? They were that good.

  • @lianafreeman8954
    @lianafreeman8954 Рік тому +91

    My grandparents were from Latvia (just north of Lithuania) and I grew up eating pink beet soup, or borščs. When I was little, I would get so excited when my grandmother used to tell me she was making “pinky soup.” This video brought back a lot of nice memories. ❤ Paldies- Thank you 🥰

    • @BlackandWhiteDiabetes
      @BlackandWhiteDiabetes 4 місяці тому

      I love it how you somehow thought that mentioning lithuania will help someone who doesnt know where latvia is :)

    • @mesofius
      @mesofius 4 місяці тому +6

      ​@@BlackandWhiteDiabetesThat's not why she mentioned it. Southern Latvia has a cultural-historical connection to Lithuania and by extension to Ukraine. So there's some cultural overlap between that part of Latvia and Ukraine - through Lithuania. Even though they're pretty far apart they have centuries of common background.

    • @lianafreeman8954
      @lianafreeman8954 4 місяці тому +3

      @@mesofius Thank you for clarifying, that’s exactly why I mentioned it! ❤️🇱🇻🇱🇹🇺🇦

    • @terminatort-1006
      @terminatort-1006 24 дні тому +1

      Sveika Tautiete, Latviete! Ari es esmu Latviete and remember omits cooking and serving pink neet soup!!! Max, u rule! We Latvians are waiting for u to explore our ancient cuisine, and especially our handmade breads!!!! Sveiks!!!! Visu Labu to my Latvian comment or!!!❤

  • @MW-he4cp
    @MW-he4cp 2 місяці тому +17

    Thank you for this video. I don't know if you read comments but I'm happy you took so much time to bring attention to this delicious soup. My grandparents survived the Holodomor in Ukraine as children, watching their siblings starve to death. Then they narrowly survived WWII. Our family still suffers as a result. Food, however, has always been important to my family. My grandmother never wasted anything. Even the guts left from our Halloween pumpkin carving would be thrown in a pot and cooked with milk (we wouldn't touch it but she loved it). Your story about the elders hunting mushrooms is a testament to the Ukrainian will. Strong but gentle people. The most hospitable you could ever meet. At least in my experience. My grandma would literally give you the shirt off her back if she thought you needed it (oh the stories....). Thank you. God bless Ukraine.

  • @rimyvald6867
    @rimyvald6867 Рік тому +1414

    As a Ukrainian I must admit you nailed it. Well done sir. Beautiful rich colour, I almost feel the aroma. And yes, rye bread with garlic and salo slice, and maybe a shot of horilka is the way to go :) Thanks for sharing a piece of our culture with your channel audience, it's truly an honour. By doing so you did a lot for popularization and preservation of Ukrainian cultural legacy.

    • @Baladhya
      @Baladhya Рік тому +18

      з Горілкою так!

    • @frida7727
      @frida7727 Рік тому +8

      Did someone say with samohon?! XD

    • @vladimirthegreen6097
      @vladimirthegreen6097 Рік тому +3

      Ты реально настолько извращенец что ешь с квасом?

    • @rimyvald6867
      @rimyvald6867 Рік тому

      @@vladimirthegreen6097 Idi nahui, dolboeb. :D

    • @vladimirthegreen6097
      @vladimirthegreen6097 Рік тому

      @@rimyvald6867 ya ebal tvoyu mat', sorry

  • @h.b.4058
    @h.b.4058 Рік тому +457

    Oh Max. Today was the first time you made me cry. Thank you for telling the mushroom story. Last month, I was privileged enough to meet the journalists who made "20 Days in Mariupol". War is hell (especially this one with war crimes being perpetrated every day), and they have lived through that hell. Food IS important, as you say, and the stories around food are important as well. Thank you for honoring the Ukrainian people by helping tell their story.

    • @anastasiab9506
      @anastasiab9506 Рік тому +8

      did you listen and watch to the story of people in Donbass as well? Or you only keep up with one side of that story? Asking for a friend

    • @Binary7
      @Binary7 Рік тому

      ​@@anastasiab9506 I mean it's basically the same story, life under occupation sucks. Go tell your friend Volodya, and then crawl back into your hole vatnik

    • @belisarius6949
      @belisarius6949 Рік тому +69

      @@anastasiab9506 The story of the Donbass people is well documented. Most fled after the russian incursion in 2014. And over half of its male population was mobilized by russia as cannon fodder this war.
      Theres also good statistics by the UN showing that civilian deaths in Donbass increased from single or double digits, to thousands because of the russian invasion, if thats what you're on about. And if you unironically think these states want to join russia, I'd like to remind you that they voted to leave russia with over 70% in 1990. And its literally a well documented reality that russia supplied and funded the Seperatist Groups. Having faked unobserved referendums wont change the reality of that.

    • @mwater_moon2865
      @mwater_moon2865 Рік тому +6

      Cooking is what makes us human. It's the only thing we can claim no other animal does: language, fire, memories of past complex social interactions, tools, puzzle solving, sharing knowledge, delayed gratification, EVERYthing else ever used to define humanity is done by other species.

    • @chrishigh3858
      @chrishigh3858 Рік тому +1

      the unmentioned self-sacrifice 😢

  • @katerinasydelnykova1733
    @katerinasydelnykova1733 Рік тому +204

    i'm ukrainian and it means a world to me, to all of us, that people abroad discover our culture, cuisine and history. thank you for making this video and educating your audience on our country)
    that being said, i'm gonna go eat some borshch ❤

    • @SarafinaSummers
      @SarafinaSummers 9 місяців тому +12

      From an American: you and your people are, and will not be, forgotten. I promise.

    • @BlackandWhiteDiabetes
      @BlackandWhiteDiabetes 4 місяці тому

      Well, the americans are known for their big hearts....with their 70% OBESITY rate :)@@SarafinaSummers

    • @user-dk9lm4ho1t
      @user-dk9lm4ho1t 4 місяці тому +1

      У впс нет никакой культуры и истории выдумка Грушевского борщ ещё в домострое описан

  • @Vossfcn99
    @Vossfcn99 5 місяців тому +53

    Ukrainians on the countryside are very proud of their homeland, heritage and customs. I’ve spent several weeks there with humanitarian aid convoys in recently liberated villages. Whenever we would stay at a family’s house overnight they would proudly offer us honey, jam, pickled onions, etc. They have never stopped living from the land (compared to most people in west Europe) and it really helped many villages survive during occupation. Now i have a closet full of jam, honey and pickles at home next to the ballistic vest and the fridge magnets.

    • @Tonyx.yt.
      @Tonyx.yt. 4 місяці тому +5

      clown

    • @BlackandWhiteDiabetes
      @BlackandWhiteDiabetes 4 місяці тому

      So you took their stuff...thats some new level of being pro-russian

    • @mesofius
      @mesofius 4 місяці тому +3

      That's a lovely story, no idea what's up with the other comments..

    • @user-dk9lm4ho1t
      @user-dk9lm4ho1t 4 місяці тому

      Все украли ц русских. Соления варенье и прочее. У тюрок только галущки есть и то не их

    • @andersjjensen
      @andersjjensen Місяць тому

      @@mesofius The other comments just show why good natured people are getting behind Ukraine and why Russia's only allies are brutal and authoritarian. It's the same up and down the comment stack: The Ukrainians are talking about Borsch and how happy they are that Max nailed it, while the vatniks are flinging slurs, driving wedges, trying to instigate arguments and pushing narratives.

  • @jenonearth
    @jenonearth Рік тому +673

    The mushroom story made me cry. The elders went out for the mushrooms not just because they knew the land but because they were willingly putting their lives at risk to keep the younger folk alive, both with food and by protecting them from the landmines.

    • @MossyMozart
      @MossyMozart Рік тому +21

      @J R - I was tearfully moved, too.

    • @Jfndh
      @Jfndh 11 місяців тому

      This is not the first time russia tries to starve Ukrainians… research the Holomodor. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holodomor

    • @Your-Least-Favorite-Stranger
      @Your-Least-Favorite-Stranger 9 місяців тому +44

      Reminds me of the fukoshima reactor situation in Japan back in like 2014; the elders in the community went to help clean it up because they felt they had already lived whereas the younger generations hadnt - if anyone was going to suffer the effects of overexposure, radiation poisoning, cancer, death, it would be better they do it than the younger generations.

    • @YaBoiBaxter2024
      @YaBoiBaxter2024 8 місяців тому +27

      The elders walked so the youth could run! SLAVA UKRAINI! 🇺🇦

    • @EHowerow
      @EHowerow 7 місяців тому +11

      Слава героям

  • @KatyaYuzefyk
    @KatyaYuzefyk Рік тому +377

    It's so rare to come across such a detailed and accurate way of delivering a story while still keeping it interesting and full of respect to the culture and history of my country. Thank you from the deepest parts of my ukrainian soul

    • @zem_em
      @zem_em Рік тому

      Доброго дня!
      Так, з нашим борщем нічого поруч не стояло🥰😋
      Пропоную і свій рецепт борщю😋:
      ua-cam.com/video/CtqgaQvGL7Y/v-deo.html

  • @wagonrestorant8032
    @wagonrestorant8032 Рік тому +24

    I can't stop admiring your pronunciation. Whatever the language of origin be - it's stunningly accurate, and not only as for an American person! Thank you for such effort and attention to the finest details!

  • @danieldmg
    @danieldmg 4 місяці тому +9

    Fantastic!! I've sent the video to my mom. Her mom & dad were born in Odessa, and fled to Bucharest in 1921 because of the communists and pogroms. And after WW 2, fled again, out of destroyed Europe and Nazi persecutions, here to Brazil where I was born. Therefore, I've been having this borscht since a baby, kkkkk love it.

  • @elisa.llew-send
    @elisa.llew-send Рік тому +234

    Whether they went to pick the mushrooms because they knew the area or because they’d lived full lives and were at peace with possibly dying, that story was so moving. It made me cry, but I’m so glad you shared it.

  • @singing-sands
    @singing-sands Рік тому +845

    Dear Max - a lump in my throat and goosebumps when you told the "mushrooms" story about old people foraging for mushrooms in the land-mined forests to spare the lives of the younger people who might have a future. You are a truly special soul.

    • @jhnshep
      @jhnshep Рік тому +88

      perhaps completely unrelated but when refugees from Afghanistan where placed here in Ireland, quite a few died because apparently in afghanistan there are no poisonous mushrooms so they went out and gathered everything and cooked them. since then any afghani that arrives in Ireland is given a pamphlet about not eating the local mushrooms unless with someone from the area. No land mines but still.

    • @eMbry00s
      @eMbry00s Рік тому +48

      @@jhnshep same has happened here in Sweden, entire families found dead. Truly awful

    • @capuchinosofia4771
      @capuchinosofia4771 Рік тому +8

      Same. I teared up at that part :(

    • @kristiskinner8542
      @kristiskinner8542 Рік тому +30

      ​@@Kepora1 uhm🤔 or been slaughtered by the extremists in their own country for fighting back

    • @GuntherRommel
      @GuntherRommel Рік тому +30

      @@Kepora1 There is no need to spread racist hate here. I don't think Max or his beloved Jose would appreciate it.

  • @suenzhong7891
    @suenzhong7891 Рік тому +73

    I feel like crying after hearing how selfless and brave the elderly people were to pick those mushrooms.

  • @Dave-oo4jn
    @Dave-oo4jn 9 місяців тому +9

    Max, the reason that the Ukrainian elders pickled the mushrooms is that wild mushrooms cannot be "canned". The only ways to preserve wild mushrooms is pickling or dehydrating.
    I love your channel!! As a foodie, I love the history behind the dishes, and meals we eat!!
    Keep up the good work!

  • @nenagravil
    @nenagravil Рік тому +147

    Max, Tasting History doesn't usually make me cry, but the story of the elders going to gather mushrooms for the village brought me to tears. Thank you for sharing it.

    • @Lolalogo
      @Lolalogo Рік тому +2

      I cried too

    • @Snarkbar
      @Snarkbar Рік тому +2

      @@jamesbuchanan3145 You mean the Ghyst of Kyyv.

    • @Just_Sara
      @Just_Sara Рік тому +2

      I had to pause for a minute myself.

    • @CleoHarperReturns
      @CleoHarperReturns Рік тому +3

      I know!! Second YT'er to make me cry today, and I NEVER cry. The first one was a comedy channel that totally sucker-punched me. I've been a blubbery mess all day.

    • @AndyViant
      @AndyViant Рік тому +7

      It may be a hard thing for us to hear in the west, but if you have to send people out for food into a mine field, elders are also more expendable as they aren't capable of serving in the war effort as troops, and cannot build the population back up by having children.
      This is the kind of hard choices that all of our families were making 80 years ago that we have been insulated from by decades of peace. These are the kinds of decisions, the kinds of sacrifices that really deserve our tears.
      We are lucky to have been insulated from such hard choices so long.

  • @MisaMason
    @MisaMason Рік тому +865

    another Ukrainian here that usually doesnt comment. Just yesterday i made borsch and how delighted i was to see one of my favourite history channel to make it as well. the story about mushrooms made me bawl my eyes out for it had hit very close to home because my parents are still in Ukraine. thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing awareness to it. i cant even express how much it means.

    • @loriki8766
      @loriki8766 Рік тому +47

      American here - we hope you remain strong and have peace soon.

    • @dianaash8077
      @dianaash8077 Рік тому +32

      I so hope your parents are doing well! Prayers to them and all Ukrainians!

    • @laurin4405
      @laurin4405 Рік тому +20

      🙏Molytvy za Myr🕊Prayers For Peace🙏

    • @ELWest1000
      @ELWest1000 Рік тому +35

      I hope your parents are okay and I pray for the full liberation of your country. Slava Ukraini ❤

    • @WraithChornobyl
      @WraithChornobyl Рік тому +21

      I will be praying for them. Wild Mushrooms, hemp, as well as Salo and Borshch are rich parts of Ukrainian Culinary History that I plan to touch on in my own videos. His mushroom story from the Volunteer made my eyes water as well. F Putin

  • @MsSteelphoenix
    @MsSteelphoenix 8 місяців тому +9

    I have absolutely no Ukranian (or even Eastern European) heritage, but I absolutely adore borshch/borscht - it's so filling and hearty and tasty!

  • @patricewomack4632
    @patricewomack4632 20 днів тому +1

    I had a student who came to the U. S. from the Ukraine. She was so smart, determined and lovely. I'm going to share this with her. I'm crying right now, but I hope it makes her happy. Max, you're correct food is so important. It creates bridges of understanding and empathy. Thank you! ❤😊

  • @alexd1717
    @alexd1717 Рік тому +1044

    As a Ukrainian, I wanted to share our extreme gratitude to you, Max!
    I discoverd Tasting History during the war and your videos were one of the things that distracted us from the news and gave us smile. Tasting the historical events in real life may be ain't much fun, but one of the things your videos taught us, is that after the dust settles - culture, joy and food is what stays behind for long long time. So thank you for spreading the word about borsch, and preserving / sharing this important bit of Ukrainian culture with your subscribers, so our heritage will live on! Hope you'll get to visit and enjoy Ukraine someday soon! Cheers!

    • @alexd1717
      @alexd1717 Рік тому +56

      @@unterhau1102 sure. There are a lot of nice and welcoming places in Ukraine with interesting culture and food: Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odesa - you name it. But though all of these cities are relatively safe now, save for the occasional russian missile strike - still it would be so much nicer for any person to experience the joyful, vibrant and relaxed atmosphere of the peaceful cities. It would be great if people of the world could get to know and appreciate Ukraine in times of joy, culture and beauty, not in times of war and tremendous suffering our people are getting through. And I hope these peaceful times will come very soon.

    • @BBarNavi
      @BBarNavi Рік тому +25

      #UkraineWillWin

    • @jeanettemarkley7299
      @jeanettemarkley7299 Рік тому +7

      @@alexd1717 I hope very soon also.

    • @justinhelget853
      @justinhelget853 Рік тому +15

      from the us i wish you slava ukraini

    • @Truffle_Young_Jr
      @Truffle_Young_Jr Рік тому

      @@alexd1717 Kyiv? May be Kiev. The -EV inflection means posession. That's why this is the town of Kii, the founder of Kiev. The same with KharOV, where the -OV ending is just common to all slavic names. Why -IV? it does not have a grammatic meaning.

  • @WolfShadowwhisper
    @WolfShadowwhisper Рік тому +411

    Max, the mushroom story had me in tears.... wow... I also saw how you struggled yourself to hold back tears while sharing the story. It certainly struck me deep in the feels... Food is not just food, it tells stories and give wisdom, it nourishes more than just the body...

    • @suziequzie
      @suziequzie Рік тому +13

      Me too - had to pause the video a moment to deal with them.

    • @SundaysChild1966
      @SundaysChild1966 Рік тому +10

      Ahhh .. someone else was "cutting onions" during the mushroom story too .. ohhh my goodness, this reminded me so much of my dear departed dad, who was Latvian, with a Lithuanian mum and Russian Cossack grandfather .. anyway, he used to go out picking mushrooms .. uggg, too many tears .. Bless

    • @frocat5163
      @frocat5163 Рік тому +28

      For me, the most emotional part of the story was the unspoken point that the older people in the community were the ones to go into the mined forest not only because they knew the area the best, but because they were willing to risk their lives so people with more years ahead of them than behind would have an opportunity to live those years. That's a powerful example of the self-sacrifice and love some people have for their families and communities.

    • @WolfShadowwhisper
      @WolfShadowwhisper Рік тому +9

      @@frocat5163 absolutely!!!! That just hit me straight in the heart. Those old folks are real heroes.

  • @Dar3MaxtaS
    @Dar3MaxtaS Рік тому +20

    It was very interesting to hear about borscht despite the fact that I am a vegetarian and my recipe is far from yours. However, I was even more impressed by the story about mushrooms and how sensitively you told it to us. Sincere greetings from the city of Sumy, Ukraine. ❤‍🔥

    • @whatrubbishthishandle
      @whatrubbishthishandle 24 дні тому

      My grandmother was from Odessa, and I still make her version of borshch, which was vegetarian, being kosher, with no meat to clash with the sour cream.
      Served with a garnish of a boiled potato covered in sour cream, she would stir in a whole egg at the end of cooking.
      This borshch goes down a
      treat with my
      friends here in Italy, and is a complete meal in itself.
      She also made shchav, or sorrel soup. I wish I could find that recipe!

  • @user-vt2ke4zw9s
    @user-vt2ke4zw9s Рік тому +23

    Як приємно що ви зробили відео про цю легендарну страву української кухні, проте не єдину) Є ще багато рецептів щиро дякую, було дуже цікаво😊 В тому числі, що лишили Salo і Smetana😆
    It is very pleasant, that you've made video about this legendary ukrainian national dish, however not the only dish of cuisine) There are other numerous recieps, and thank you! It was realy interesing. Aslo, that you left "salo and smetana" not translated😆 You are good at pronouncuation)
    Greetings from Ukraine!💙💛

  • @user-tc4ok6db9e
    @user-tc4ok6db9e Рік тому +216

    Hi, so sweet. I’m Ukrainian who was born in Petropavlivska Borshchahivka.I was surprised to see my native village, thank you for a good video about our beloved borscht

    • @Malva_UA-AU
      @Malva_UA-AU Рік тому +8

      Hi from South Botshchahivka 😂

    • @anastasiiavasylieva6566
      @anastasiiavasylieva6566 Рік тому +6

      @@Malva_UA-AU one more from Borschahivka here:)

    • @viktorias63
      @viktorias63 Рік тому +1

      My favorite vyshevanka comes from that region, it's beautiful

  • @craigsurette3438
    @craigsurette3438 Рік тому +346

    "Food is so. so important, and the stories around food are so, so important....and that's kinda why I do this ...."
    This is why you are an amazing human, Max , and why your channel is so very very special

    • @sparklypoof
      @sparklypoof Рік тому +7

      came here to comment on this line - totally agree!! that mushroom story was so touching

    • @nltoriola89
      @nltoriola89 Рік тому +2

      Agreed. He's such a spectacular human being. ❤️

    • @carolsaia7401
      @carolsaia7401 Рік тому +4

      When I was pregnant with my daughter, I would get so hungry and have to eat meat every 3 hrs or so thru the night even.. my then husband brought me a friend's meatloaf and it was sooo good. It hit me how food can be a facet of LOVE.

  • @Meph1k
    @Meph1k 9 місяців тому +17

    I’m Polish and thank you for a mention of how it sounds in our language 🥰

  • @joshmiller2446
    @joshmiller2446 Рік тому +5

    I've watched most of your videos Max, this one in particular is probably my favorite. My wife's family (Yesh) are from the southern area of Poland. This evening, while eating our re-heated pretzel crust little Caesars pizza, we viewed this one as her family made duck blood soup for Easter last week and thought it appropriate. We laughed, we cried, we looked at each other with love and sympathy for her ancestors as we kept having to pause to talk about her family recipe for borscht. Once again, thanks man. This was a truly awesome way to end our evening together. Even though my own family is Scotch/Irish, I feel for the people that made this recipe for generations. ❤️

  • @cozonacel36
    @cozonacel36 Рік тому +322

    I'm from Romania, and while we're a pretty different people, our culture still shares a lot of similarities with the Ukranian and Slavic cultures, so I'm glad that you made an episode on something from our neck of the woods! Also has to be the first time I've seen Max get emotional in an episode, but I'm not complaining.

    • @eritain
      @eritain Рік тому +25

      The Ukrainians think of their Hutsul mountain people as a romantic epitome of the nation, and the Poles think the same about their Gorals. Both Hutsuls and Gorals probably came from Romania :)
      Please thank your nation for all their help to my Ukrainian friends in this terrible year.

    • @joeschmo4646
      @joeschmo4646 Рік тому +1

      He also made the Harvester sauce vid a while back!

    • @user-xj4uq1qx2h
      @user-xj4uq1qx2h Рік тому +3

      I think you are right about hutsul origin. Its notisable for example by their dancing. But believe me, they are real ukrainian patriots.

  • @blankspace998
    @blankspace998 Рік тому +605

    As a Ukrainian, I cannot describe how thankful I am, and all of the Ukrainians as well, to you for explaining and spreading the truth about our national dish. And our country and language as well!
    Been a subscriber since 20k and never thought that one time you will do borscht. I hope you will have a look at some of our other recipes and cuisine overall.
    Thank you! Love you!

    • @TheLoxxxton
      @TheLoxxxton Рік тому

      😘

    • @johngaynor4363
      @johngaynor4363 Рік тому +9

      @@sasi5841 Lithuania is Polish clay

    • @dylanbowlin3646
      @dylanbowlin3646 Рік тому +3

      @Blank Space Borshch to me, sounds like an interesting dish to try. I’ve tried menudo (a Mexican soup/stew with animal brains and innards), that had some rather intriguing textures and flavors that I was not expecting let me tell you, BUT, I can at least say that I’ve tried animal brains and innards in a soup/stew and in a good way, it was different from what I usually eat.

    • @safetinspector2
      @safetinspector2 Рік тому +10

      All peoples are earthly clay.

    • @BastetFurry
      @BastetFurry Рік тому

      @@johngaynor4363 if we go with that sentiment, why aren't they a Bundesland yet? 🤭😏

  • @misShura1
    @misShura1 Рік тому +9

    Another Ukrainian is here in the comment section. Thank you very much, not just for sharing the recipe but for bringing up our dark history and the fact that you couldn't even publish a recipe for a national dish in Ukrainian. Btw Unesco recognizes borshch as a Ukrainian cultural heritage now. Thank you, Max and everyone watching.

  • @bardok2007
    @bardok2007 Рік тому +27

    Thank you for telling us about Ukraine, our cuisine, and Ukrainian borscht. We also have many other delicious traditional dishes, such as dumplings with meat, cherries, kulesh, and pies. We are grateful for your support in these difficult times for our country. We gladly invite everyone to come visit us after our victory! Glory to Ukraine!

  • @midoriya-shonen
    @midoriya-shonen Рік тому +340

    It's so deeply moving to hear these stories of modern history. Seeing those fermented mushrooms, learning the dire conditions under how they were picked, has the power to tilt my whole world for a moment. To know that those hardships are still an everyday occurrence around the world and not just a tale of decades past. To think back on what I was doing last summer while they were doing whatever they could to stay alive. It's mind bending.

  • @dragosmoldovan990
    @dragosmoldovan990 Рік тому +347

    As a Romanian, I pretty much relate to this food. The ingredients like salo (we call it slănină or slană) and smetana (smântână) are something everybody in Romania has in their fridge. I just made this wonderful borscht (borș in Romanian - pronounced almost the same) today and I am enjoying it right now. Here's to all the Ukraine. We are here for you in these awful times

  • @BigBrother169
    @BigBrother169 8 місяців тому +4

    When I was in Germany on a rotation I was attached to a Ukrainian mechanized company. Our translator, who was originally from Ukraine got ahold of a chunk of Salo and red garlic from one of the Ukrainians and made us that bread, garlic and salo sandwich. We ate the whole block.

  • @TomMannis
    @TomMannis Рік тому +30

    My dad's family is from Ukraine (they left in 1910), and I grew up eating beet borscht. It's still a favorite, hot or cold.

    • @mesofius
      @mesofius 4 місяці тому

      damn, keeping it going more than a century later

  • @terryc7142
    @terryc7142 Рік тому +118

    I'm not supposed to cry at a food video, but the story about the pickled mushrooms is sobering. My heart and prayers go out to all those innocent people affected by the war.

  • @hydro4198
    @hydro4198 Рік тому +351

    Max!!! It's very nice of you to credit the people who've helped you with your content!!! We know you're such a genuine person and your channel is always refreshing and insightful!

  • @coolbrotherf127
    @coolbrotherf127 8 місяців тому +5

    When just hearing that it's "beet soup" doesn't really actually describe how flavorful and savory it is. It doesn't just taste like vegetables in water like many in the West might picture.

  • @JustJami74
    @JustJami74 10 місяців тому +6

    I love how thoroughly you research foods and cultures. And thank you for your empathy to cultures of all kinds. You are restoring my faith in humanity one video at a time.

  • @punklejunk
    @punklejunk Рік тому +125

    The part about the pickled mushrooms has got to be the most moving story you've ever shared. It shows how special food is to people's personal and cultural history, and puts a ton of humanity behind the recipes. You put a tear in our eye, Max. Bless you and your channel.

    • @soul_reaper9935
      @soul_reaper9935 Рік тому

      It’s just propaganda 😅

    • @soul_reaper9935
      @soul_reaper9935 Рік тому

      @@Svenne-man-1880Don’t believe everything you read… especially the sad stories.

    • @KUMAKURA
      @KUMAKURA Рік тому

      @@soul_reaper9935 You are vile.

  • @uptown_rider8078
    @uptown_rider8078 Рік тому +457

    I’m half Ukrainian, and I even lived there when I was young. It’s great to see you make a video about one of our traditional dishes, great work Max

    • @dylanbowlin3646
      @dylanbowlin3646 Рік тому +4

      Borshch to me sounds like an interesting dish to try. I tried menudo (a Mexican soup/stew with animal brains and innards) that had some rather intriguing textures and flavors that I was not expecting let me tell you folks BUT, in a good way I can at least say that I’ve tried animal brains and innards in a soup/stew and it was different from what I usually eat.

    • @peter_bazinet
      @peter_bazinet Рік тому +4

      @@dylanbowlin3646 I've never heard of menudo that had brains in it. It must be regional. It sounds interesting, but I'd probably pass.

    • @uptown_rider8078
      @uptown_rider8078 Рік тому +6

      @@dylanbowlin3646 I highly recommend it. It has a good blend of flavors, and the ingredients differ depending on the different regions of Slavia

    • @dwaynewladyka577
      @dwaynewladyka577 Рік тому +4

      ​@@uptown_rider8078 I have a mixed Slavic ancestry, including Polish and Ukrainan. My late, paternal grandmother, was half Polish and half Ukrainan. She and her husband were from Galicia, which was by the Polish/Ukrainan border. Her borscht had corn in it too. It was good. Cheers!

    • @uptown_rider8078
      @uptown_rider8078 Рік тому +5

      @@dwaynewladyka577 Thats amazing, it’s the same with me. I have Slavic ancestry (Ukrainian, and Czech) on my father half, and Iberian ancestry (Portugal, Spain, and Basque) from my mothers half. I also have some ancestry from the Baltics, Germanic Europe, and Scotland. Glad to talk to someone with similar ancestry. Cheers friend :)

  • @madkat2119
    @madkat2119 8 місяців тому +5

    Hello Max! You did an amazing job explaining borscht. I grew up eating borscht, it was a staple meal my grandmother and father would make when we needed something cheap. My grandmother often put grated carrot and shredded spinach in hers and we would top it with sour cream and fresh dill. Mmm!
    However, I didn't see this mentioned in the comments from other cooks/Ukrainians so I wanted to mention that the 'kahm yeast' that formed on top of your fermented beets is referred to as 'the mother' (at least in the Ukranian Methodist cookbook my family kept) and we would save her and put her into the next batch of fermented beets we made and she would get bigger and better every time, sort of like making a sourdough or kombucha. You can also use watermelon rind to make this sour addition for the base if you didn't want to use beets! It's such a versatile soup.
    Thank you for honoring my heritage!

  • @dellahicks7231
    @dellahicks7231 5 місяців тому +3

    My Baba & Gida (Grandma & Grandpa) were from Ukraine, so this is the food of my youth, and I still make borscht to this day (In fact I have beets waiting in my fridge waiting for me!)
    I remember going mushroom picking with my parents and Baba when I was quite young. My Baba knew exactly the areas to pick, and which mushrooms to pick. Then they went into a gravy for our pedaheh (perogies) oh my gosh, the best!!
    Thank You so much for sharing the food of my heritage, I miss my Baba's kitchen so much.
    Be At Peace Baba & Gida. 🕊

  • @mariushertel7567
    @mariushertel7567 Рік тому +305

    I normally don't comment on videos, but I have to tell you you have my deepest respects Max for publishing this video in such difficult times and the way on how you clarified possible mix-ups between Ukrainian and Russian culinary culture and language

    • @AA-cf4es
      @AA-cf4es Рік тому +45

      My girlfriend is from Mariupol. She is a living and breathing mix-up between Ukranian and Russian culture and language.
      I think this is incredibly important and we shouldn't deny the reality: there are tons of "mixed" families, incredibly large amount of cultural and mundane things that are intertwined between those two nations.
      And, of course it's making the war even more heartbreaking and cruel. Dreaming of ending it, dreaming of free Russia and healed Ukraine.

    • @orange_cherry
      @orange_cherry Рік тому +26

      @@AA-cf4es I'm from Kyiv but my parents were born in ruzia and i can assure you in one fact: when culture and families mixed forcefully - it's bad. When ruzia colonizing Ukraine, deporting ukrainians and placing ruzians instead of us it's bad. We became so russificated because ukrainian langiuage and culture were partly forbiden. Even hame ruzia is stolen from Rus.
      We are two completely different nations and that will be really nice if in this hard for us time you will stop this bullshit about "unity and brotherhood" during our war and attempts to show that we are different.
      Love from Ukraine to genshinlover ♡

    • @ZhovtoBlakytniy
      @ZhovtoBlakytniy Рік тому +12

      @A A my husband is from Crimea and his dad is full Ukrainian and his mother is half Russian half Ukrainian, he is troubled by the war and his heritage. He is 100% Ukrainian when it comes to where his heart goes.

    • @AA-cf4es
      @AA-cf4es Рік тому

      ​​@@orange_cherry that's the problem though: your truth exists in the same reality as hers. Both are valid.
      Nothing about "brotherhood", by the way, this is too efemeral. No. I'm simply saying that you can't change the way you were raised and born. Even if you hate it, even if it hurts, even if it feels like venom. I am standing with Ukraine, but i was born Russian and i will die Russian. I can't become something else just because.
      Same goes with her and many people that were able to flee. She herself is in Kiyv rn, btw
      But before the war the tension existed for the longest time. If you felt casted outside by people in Lvov and Kiyv, if you are speaking Russian every single day of your life who can tell you that you have no right to your mixed heritage? Nobody. Not Ukranians and sure as hell not Russians.
      The truth is not white and black (besides the fact that the war was started by putin and that donbass belongs to Ukraine), you have your opinion and it is forged on a rightful fire, but lots of people from Mariupol have their own and should not be forcefully left out from the conversation just because of crazy old f@cker and heartless monsters orsone propaganda machine or idiots who are getting sentimental with this "brotherhood" stuff.
      She lost her city and nobody sure as hell has the right to decide for her how exactly she should feel.

    • @melisovyuchai
      @melisovyuchai Рік тому +20

      @@AA-cf4es I would rather have free from russian occupation Ukraine and healed from chauvinism and imperialism russia

  • @volodyroho5984
    @volodyroho5984 7 місяців тому +7

    I grew up in the far eastern south of Ukraine, and we always cooked borsch with a lot of tomatoes and much fewer beets (and i don't like them, btw), probably because the southern regions are most common for tomato cultivation idk... but when we moved with my wife to the most western region about 5 years ago it was soooo so unusual, odd and surprising to taste these mostly beet versions of borsch ))
    So it actually can be very different depending on region and family.

  • @yeastori
    @yeastori 8 місяців тому +3

    If you don't have the fermented beets and don't want to make them you can simply buy saurkraut to give it that fermented taste and since cabbage is part of the recipe its really not too much of a departure

  • @salaltschul3604
    @salaltschul3604 Рік тому +44

    Thank you for sharing the story about the mushrooms. It reminds me of the stories my Czech grandmother would tell about when she was sent to a relative's farm during Nazi occupation...they were hungry, so hungry, and their only bet was to eat through the animals on the farm and my grandmother would forage in the forest for blueberries and mushrooms to tide them over and get them through.
    It's disgusting to me that people are still feeling that hunger and desperation. All because of another despot. I hate that people are so hungry they need to risk their lives. I hate that people are dying and fearful. I hate it.
    Thanks for shining a light on Ukraine, Max. Thanks for borshch.

  • @Adv-vr1uh
    @Adv-vr1uh Рік тому +352

    Wow! As a Ukrainian, I am totally impressed with your level of preparation/erudition. All facts about our history you mentioned are fully correct. Even the etymology of the term "Little Russian" which now became derogatory. Superb work!

    • @m315p
      @m315p Рік тому

      "Now became derogatory"?
      Oldest imperialistic propaganda

    • @aleenawhite34
      @aleenawhite34 Рік тому +2

      Малороссия это не унизительное название! При этом Украина как Окраина тоже. Это лишь географические названия обозначающие маленькие земли, а не какое-то унижение.

    • @hhh-yh8wn
      @hhh-yh8wn Рік тому

      ​@@aleenawhite34обозначающие центр а не переферию

    • @xELITExKILLAx
      @xELITExKILLAx Рік тому

      @@aleenawhite34 it’s considered derogatory to Ukrainians because just calling them “Little Russians” implies that they don’t have their own unique culture and ethnic identity. And to say that would be promoting the same propaganda that Putin uses to justify his horrible war

    • @EbefrenRevo
      @EbefrenRevo Рік тому +8

      @@aleenawhite34 sounds pretty derogratory to me right now. Maybe is better dont use it anymore, unless you are a vatnik.

  • @KvDenko
    @KvDenko Рік тому +56

    That mushroom story has me sobbing. As a Ukrainian, I really enjoyed this video ❤️ I hope you get to try green borscht one day

  • @Enjoymentboy
    @Enjoymentboy 9 місяців тому +5

    I used to make borshch when my kids were little and just like my grandmother always served it I added a spoonful of sour cream in the center of the bowl for them to stir in. They could never remember the name so they always just asked me to make them "pink soup".

  • @bronsilverstring5874
    @bronsilverstring5874 Рік тому +189

    Hello from Ukraine! 🇺🇲❤️✨Thank you so much for covering our favorite dish! There are many fans of your work here, we enjoy your insight and research a lot.

  • @v-v586
    @v-v586 Рік тому +535

    From a Ukrainian affected by the war, a big thank you for deciding to make something of ours.

    • @lunaballuna
      @lunaballuna Рік тому +17

      I love the Ukrainian borscht, but I personally prefer Russian beef and beet borscht ❤️

    • @m4x658
      @m4x658 Рік тому +23

      @@lunaballuna it is still ukrainian borshCH, this is just another recipe.

    • @ImMapob
      @ImMapob Рік тому +7

      @@m4x658 no it’s not, the original one was created by someone from what today is Ukraine, even though he wasn’t Ukrainian. It’s spread all around Eastern Europe and everyone has their own versions, they’re not all the same

    • @viktorias63
      @viktorias63 Рік тому +9

      @@lunaballuna there is no such thing as "Russian bosrch" it's like "Ukrainian sushi", not a thing

    • @viktorias63
      @viktorias63 Рік тому +1

      @@ImMapob they're saying there is no "Russian" borsch

  • @user-ci6xc4hn4v
    @user-ci6xc4hn4v 2 місяці тому +2

    I love you Max... You are a good man. Your friends story hit me right in my heart. Freedom for Ukraine!

  • @HummerPoint
    @HummerPoint 10 місяців тому +6

    I've always been delighted with how deeply you study the topic Max. But this issue is special for me, of course, modern borshch is prepared differently, but it's very cool that you showed its ancient recipe

  • @nidhavellir
    @nidhavellir Рік тому +104

    One thing that may surprise people is that the soup is also a popular standard in Hong Kong teahouses, almost always made without beets. It was brough there by Russians fleeing the revolution and merged with other popuar Western comfort foods like buttered toast and macaroni soup.

    • @andrewli6606
      @andrewli6606 Рік тому +3

      Always wondered why it was always available in western Hong Kong restaurants.

    • @teac117
      @teac117 Рік тому +12

      NE china, Harbin. See Luosong soup. It's basically Red Shchi from russian migrants 1890s. It's spread down from there. Luosong in 羅宋湯, is a phonetic translation of Russian. Sometimes it's called Siberian Borsch, because it's brought over by peoples from area in and surrounding Ukraine as they colonized Siberia but couldn't necessarily find beetroot.

    • @codename495
      @codename495 Рік тому +2

      What is macaroni soup?

    • @1224chrisng
      @1224chrisng Рік тому +1

      yeah, Cantonese borshch (although barely borshch) is definitely my favourite borshch

    • @jerryli3438
      @jerryli3438 Рік тому +1

      @@codename495 macaroni but in a soup

  • @chris.psychologist
    @chris.psychologist Рік тому +94

    Being in Ukraine and watching Max's videos for cheering up, to find this particular one about the most famous dish in the country is priceless 😍🤩

  • @llpBR
    @llpBR 9 місяців тому +2

    There is a guy called István Wessel and he tries to make borcht a thing in Brazil. He comes from a Hungarian family and he points out that his recipe is to be served cold due to our climate. But his recipe says that it must have kummel. It must. This episode was touching. Thank you Max!

  • @kck9742
    @kck9742 9 місяців тому +5

    Thank you, Max! My grandfather was Jewish and from Ukraine, a small shtetl (town) near Rovno called Krasnostav. He was born in 1901 and died almost 20 years before I was born, so I imagine this is a dish he would have grown up with. I would imagine that Jews would NOT have included pork or pork fat in their recipes, though.

  • @Bille994
    @Bille994 Рік тому +26

    My mother in law has a Ukrainian refugee staying with her here in the UK, and she cooked us a big Ukrainian feast last year including borscht. It was amazing! I had no idea this kind of food was so delicious

  • @denyuneedtoknow
    @denyuneedtoknow Рік тому +116

    I'm Ukrainian, i watch this videos from long time ago, because I also like food and history. Your videos are great, I really enjoyed watching all of them. but I particularly wanted to express my gratitude for this one! After we will win (and clear out all landmines, heh) you should definitely visit Kyiv and check out modern version of Borsch. With pampushki (little garlic buns) and shot of horilka (vodka)

  • @novella57
    @novella57 Рік тому +5

    What a touching story about the people harvesting the 🍄 that's the kind of details that are so important for us to know so we can appreciate what we have. Thanks for sharing.

  • @carebear927
    @carebear927 Рік тому +2

    Max, your dedication to your work is truly remarkable in this day and age! I always learn so much from your presentations and absolutely LOVE your enthusiasm!!! Never Change!!!

  • @sashagolden753
    @sashagolden753 Рік тому +209

    Wow, your pronunciation is SOOO good!! I see similar comments every time and you really deserve a prize for the respect you give every language and culture!

  • @Oktopia
    @Oktopia Рік тому +50

    Max is so good at pronouncing names in the proper way. I like it! It seems to be a good way to show respect for both the language and the food.

  • @chilly22
    @chilly22 9 місяців тому +3

    just made this recipe with my mum yesterday here in the UK. the only deviation was the lack of salo. but it was ABSOLUTELY delicious. my mum is an old fashioned english lady who never sways too far away from british meals. but she absolutely loved it (it helps she loves beetroot)

  • @markiangooley
    @markiangooley 9 місяців тому +2

    My late western Ukrainian Dad occasionally had it. My late Prussian Mom helped prepare it, and everyone in the family loved it except me. I’m the freak who really dislikes beets.
    Dad was much bigger on banush, essentially cornmeal mush with sheep cheese and other goodies. But he was at least part Hutsul and they’re very big on that.

  • @MuzOism
    @MuzOism Рік тому +74

    Ukrainian here. I watch every video of yours but have never commented before. Thanks so much for this video and for all the hard work you do! Your videos are always incredibly entertaining :)

  • @dimmingstar
    @dimmingstar Рік тому +263

    that tidbit about the elderly Ukrainian citizens who'd seen and experienced so much, risking their lives to go into that landmine-filled forest to find food to save their starving fellows is indeed so heartwrenching and moving ..thank you for sharing it ;~; it is history-adjacent, in the way one might find that superheroes of yore still exist today -- and is one of those rare, precious moments when one can see the beauty of the human race shine

    • @bcd4562
      @bcd4562 Рік тому +2

      💯😢

    • @stargirl7646
      @stargirl7646 Рік тому +8

      That part got me 😢 I hope those precious jars means that everyone made it back from the forests safely

    • @tm502010
      @tm502010 Рік тому +6

      Who can hear that and not be moved? It’s heroic, and so tragic.

    • @cflotronsong
      @cflotronsong Рік тому +7

      It reminds me of the Story of chernobyl. When the nuclear facility exploded they needed manpower to clean up the radioactive material. The elderly volunteered to clean up that mess in order to protect the younger generation. I think the japanese did something similar but I don't know the story

  • @ankaro4258
    @ankaro4258 Рік тому +6

    I'm here just to hear someone non slav saying slav languages because this is my favourite drinking game.
    Also: Chwała Ukrainie! Chwała Polsce!

  • @karensimon876
    @karensimon876 Рік тому +195

    The mushroom story also moved me. Thank you for sharing this, Max!

  • @user-vr3gr9ex1l
    @user-vr3gr9ex1l Рік тому +122

    Woow! Thank you so much from Ukraine for covering borsch 🥰
    A separate thanks for Ukrainian subtitles, now my family can also enjoy your video 😊

  • @breannebannerman2347
    @breannebannerman2347 9 місяців тому +8

    Being a woman of Ukrainian descent, this video made me teary-eyed. Really appreciate you making the kvass; I feel making it is a little bit of a lost art as people just add vinegar now a days instead. Definitely going to try making kvass!

  • @gussie88bunny
    @gussie88bunny Рік тому +3

    Dude, your show is so very entertaining. Cooking, history, humour, and some very well placed serious. Thanks very much, Gus

  • @dadadrdadadr
    @dadadrdadadr Рік тому +110

    My name is Daria, I am your subsciber from Irpin, Ukraine and I never expected to see a borshch recipe from you! This made me so happy
    It's my favourite dish, I literaly have a huge pot of borshch in my fridge right now lol
    My mum makes the best borshch but I will tell her about this version with beetroot kvas, it looks delicious too
    Thanks for the video!)

  • @nabra97
    @nabra97 Рік тому +65

    Seeing this, virtually seeing my home in a photo (possibly even literally, not sure where exactly footage from Borschahivka was taken), learning some stuff I didn't know myself, and just knowing that people around the world are excited about our culture is something absolutely brilliant. I can't thank you enough.

    • @ZhovtoBlakytniy
      @ZhovtoBlakytniy Рік тому +7

      I'm living in the US and people are incredibly interested in Ukrainian culture, now more than ever. I make pysanky for all of my friends and they love it, and to learn something new and to tell other people about.

  • @valeriiatopla4042
    @valeriiatopla4042 Рік тому +26

    I am Ukrainian. And I’m so grateful for this video and for your work guys. Thank you for sharing the beautiful and diverse Ukrainian culture, which has been hidden from the rest of the world

    • @peggedyourdad9560
      @peggedyourdad9560 Рік тому +1

      I hope you and your family and friends are doing well and staying as safe as you can over there. I hope more of your culture can be respectfully brought to light because it seems very interesting.

  • @Is-me-TheReal-Shakira
    @Is-me-TheReal-Shakira 26 днів тому +1

    In Romania and also in Moldova they make borsch ( the sour liquid for the soups) out of fermented wheat husks.
    And yes, it can be added to any kind of soups- meat, beans, potatoes, fish, even weeds ( like nettles and red orach in the spring)
    They also sour the soups with sauerkraut ( pickled cabbage brine), vinnegar ( from the pickles) or even sour fruits "broth"

  • @ovo_sch4651
    @ovo_sch4651 Рік тому +85

    I`m Ukrainian and I`m really thankfull for your job and highlighting our culture. I learn about our national dish a lot of new too, It was really iinteresting, thank you! Also we eat borsh with pampushka, that is a soft white bun with gurlic oil on it, you should try it as well :)

    • @MtnNerd
      @MtnNerd Рік тому

      Just curious, but what do Jewish people typically use instead of pork?

    • @SlavicCelery
      @SlavicCelery Рік тому +4

      @@MtnNerd There's beef versions. Or they might do the onions and fish recipe that was referenced earlier on in the video.

    • @rnokmh
      @rnokmh Рік тому +1

      @@MtnNerd i'm not jewish but my baba's borshch is vegetarian, i guess jews would do the same or use beef or some other kosher meat

    • @KalciferLycoris
      @KalciferLycoris Рік тому +2

      @@rnokmh there are lots of vegetarian versions of borsht made specially for some Christian events during religious fastings

  • @Annfam5
    @Annfam5 Рік тому +317

    I made Borshch today. i always make the traditional and sour cream and rye bread!( My grandmother, who was born in * edited out the word that caused an uproar. Sorry, my grandmother was born in 1902 and traveled by boat here to the US in 1915) Ukraine, taught me how to make it. I ate it through to adulthood and I made it for my kids throughout their lives so far. They are 20,21,28. So.... that tradition has made it through to us! You pronounced it correctly too!!!!! Finally someone pronounced it correctly!!! Thank you! Thanks for doing this. Love your vids. :)

    • @dwaynewladyka577
      @dwaynewladyka577 Рік тому +15

      I wish my paternal grandmother taught me how to make borscht. Her borscht was great. My grandmother did teach me how to make pierogies, when I was a child. She was half Polish and half Ukrainan, and she and my grandfather were from Galicia, by the Polish/Ukrainan border. Cheers!

    • @ZhovtoBlakytniy
      @ZhovtoBlakytniy Рік тому +4

      I just taught my daughter how to cook borscht last week 😊

    • @kaladore6798
      @kaladore6798 Рік тому +3

      ​@@dwaynewladyka577 wow! Hello from Galicia!

    • @VVelikan
      @VVelikan Рік тому +14

      Just Ukraine, without "the" please.

    • @AP-uc7oz
      @AP-uc7oz Рік тому

      @@VVelikan shut up, please.

  • @viktoriyapapayani4165
    @viktoriyapapayani4165 15 днів тому

    Thank you so much for making this segment! I am a big fan of all your programs.

  • @drehnotdrenon7381
    @drehnotdrenon7381 9 місяців тому +2

    Here from Roumania , on the country side we got a special borsh called "Nacreala" , Wich uses the milk that sits for two to three days after is milked with a brew we from wheat that we also call borch , kinda confusing, it uses most of components of normal green borch but more sower really good

  • @TheModdedwarfare3
    @TheModdedwarfare3 Рік тому +267

    I really love that story from your Ukrainian viewer. That wasn't Tasting History adjacent. THAT WAS HISTORY. This is what history looks like before it's old.

  • @zombiedoggie2732
    @zombiedoggie2732 Рік тому +45

    That story made me cry. The old people going out into mine infested lands to get the mushrooms for the starving. They were risking their lives for the young, I hope the younger generation never forgets, and are always grateful.

  • @biodtox
    @biodtox Рік тому +6

    In Poland sorrel soup is quite popular, but I've never heard it being called "green borscht", but now when I've heard it is seems so obvious. Funny thing is that it's closer to original borscht from hogweed that modern one from beetroot is.

  • @Zhjckfdjdbx
    @Zhjckfdjdbx Рік тому +3

    Oleksiy Sokyrko was my professor at the University. He is great!

  • @lr2550
    @lr2550 Рік тому +68

    As a Ukrainian thank you for this episode! It was great! I appreciate you spreading the knowledge about our food and history that comes with it! Also your pronunciation of Ukrainian words is just awesome! I really like watching your channel and I was so surprised and happy to see an episode dedicated to Ukrainian food! Love from Kyiv!💛💙