From walnut to pine cone: varenye to be found at Moscow fairs

Moscow interregional fairs offer a wide variety of natural varenye from Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States countries. The fair counters are lined with fruit spreads made of raspberry and plum, bog bilberry and strawberry, cloudberry and mulberry, as well as some unusual flavors — pine cones, walnuts, melon, rose petals, or linden blossoms.

In the cold season, varenye is one of the most vital products as fruits retain their rich flavor and beneficial nutrients even after prolonged heat treatment. The composition of vitamins and minerals varies depending on the ingredients: raspberry varenye has anti-inflammatory properties, while pine cone varenye is good for the respiratory system.

At the Proyezd Berezovoy Roshchi Fair, you can find varenye made of white sweet cherry, walnut, cornelian cherry, fig, and mulberry. Near the Nekrasovka Metro Station and on Starokachalovskaya Street, the stalls feature varenye made of blueberries, cloudberries, and cranberries with currants, as well as lingonberries with pine buds varenye, which comes from Karelia. No thickening agents or water are added to the product, only raw materials harvested in the berry-growing areas. The full cycle — from harvesting to boiling and packaging — is carried out on-site.

Vologda varenye — raspberry, lingonberry, and cherry — can be purchased at the fair on Chelyabinskaya Street. Raspberry varenye from the Kaluga region can be found on Gorodetskaya Street. It goes well with tea and homemade pastry, and in the cold season, it is used as a sweet addition to hot drinks consumed at the first signs of a common cold.

Unusual pine cone varenye is available at the interregional fair on Semyonovskaya Square and in the public garden on Khachaturian Street. It is made of young pine cones, which makes the syrup thick and grants it a characteristic pine aroma. Not far from it, one can find berry varenye made of blueberries, blackberries, and black currants.

Moscow fairs are places where city residents traditionally come for quality and fresh farm products brought from over 40 regions of Russia. Each supplier guarantees the good quality and fresh goods, and specialists from the Moscow State Veterinary Service check the products before they get to the counters. Last year, Moscow fairs were visited by about 8.5 million people, who purchased over 16 thousand tons of farm products.

Places for fair stalls are provided for free. Fair pavilions are installed near metro stations and other crowded places; they are equipped with heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and video surveillance systems, as well as retail and refrigeration equipment, making them comfortable to visit.