Suzdal sbiten and Karelian berries: what you can buy at the “Tastes of Russia” festival

A large fair of regional brands is running at the VDNKh as part of the “Tastes of Russia” festival, organized by the Russian Ministry of Agriculture together with the Moscow City Government. For citizens and guests of the capital it is a unique opportunity to discover the whole geography of the country’s tastes, from Kamchatka to Kaliningrad, in one walk. 75 constituent entities of the Russian Federation presented their best products and delicacies here.

The festival, which takes place as part of the “Summer in Moscow” project, has become one of the largest gastronomic events of August. This year its platforms were spread at the VDNKh, from the Peoples’ Friendship Square to the Stone Flower fountain.

At each fair pavilion, you can not only taste but also buy the products of farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, confectioners and beverage producers. All products have undergone a strict selection process and reflect the culinary traditions of the regions.

Until August 19, guests can familiarize themselves with such gifts of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous District—Yugra as Tavolozhnaya soaked cloudberry, Surgut live chocolate, Sosva herring, Yugra berries and wild fruits. Saratov region offers to taste the legendary Saratov kalach, Buryatia—tea of Buryat witch doctors and pine nut. The Republic of Mari El brought Mari honey Mari Otar, and the Perm Territory will please with the Kama honey mixture with oleoresin, Perm tea kvass and honey sbiten.

From August 20 through August 24, the vendor rows will update their assortment. The Chelyabinsk Region will present Tayanda honey and Petrovsky pickles, the Stavropol Territory—Stavropol meat delicacies and Stavropol cheeses, the Tomsk Region—cedar milk, Tomsk pine nut and Bakchar honeysuckle, and the Novgorod Region—rosebay willowherb, Demyan marmalade and branded honey gingerbread.

Products from some regions will be available to buy and taste during all days of the festival. Thus, Kamchatka will surprise with ferns, seabream and fish sausage, Tatarstan with chak-chak, dried goose and Tatar-style dried duck breast. Karelia will share the flavors of the North: berries and northern fish, as well as marshmallows and other sweets.

The fair pays special attention to the eco-friendliness and quality of goods. All festival participants are certified producers who work with natural raw materials, often from old family recipes.

The fair of regional brands is a part of the big program of the festival “Tastes of Russia”. Here, guests can not only purchase delicacies, but also learn about culinary and cultural traditions. Folk bands from all over the country will perform on stage and there will be cooking battles between chefs and bloggers. In addition, craft and culinary master classes, a restaurant courtyard where you can taste dishes of the peoples of Russia, thematic art objects and lounge zones are waiting for visitors.

The “Tastes of Russia” festival is a gastronomic journey where everyone will find something interesting. It is part of a larger program to promote unique regional products. It was started by the Russian Ministry of Agriculture on the instructions of the President of Russia in 2020. The program is aimed at promoting local goods and supporting local producers. Its first phase was a competition that was held in 2020-2021 and gathered more than 700 regional brands. The competition continues with the national gastronomic festival “Tastes of Russia”. It has been held in Moscow’s central venues since 2022 and gives manufacturers the opportunity to present their products to a wide audience, and residents and guests of the capital to learn about the diversity of tastes of our country.