The history of any state is unique. “One cannot understand Russia with the mind” - it is difficult to argue with this statement of the classic.
And even if for the most part of the past century our immense homeland bore a different name, there were such things in it that most foreigners still have no idea about.
We represent 10 Soviet things that are not familiar with abroad.
10. Kvass
The history of this amazing drink extends far beyond the Soviet period. And even when revolutionary ideas called for driving away all the remnants of the “dark” past, kvass was still the most popular drink in Russian society.
Indeed, kvass is something so primordially ours (almost like felt boots or balalaika) that for foreigners to understand, with their primitive view of gastronomy, the whole charm of this drink is also difficult, as well as to comprehend all the secrets of the mysterious Russian soul.
By the way, such a dish native to most of our compatriots as okroshka on kvass puzzles foreigners, and sometimes even provokes intestinal upset in them.
9. Birch sap
It is no secret that birch trees grow not only in Russia. However, it only occurred to our distant ancestors to extract delicious juice from this graceful tree.
Perhaps this is all a matter of our genetics, which allows only our people to feel a delicate sweet taste, familiar to everyone since childhood.
8. A string bag
Something more Soviet than this strange but very useful item is hard to come up with. The name of this bag is due to the legendary monologue of the great satirist Arkady Raikin, and its popularity - ease of use and compactness.
7. Coasters
In those days, when glass was considered not the cheapest material, cup holders were like armor and protection for fragile items.
When glass was no longer considered a scarce raw material, coasters disappeared into oblivion and the memory of them was erased in most of humanity. This happened everywhere except the most beautiful country in the world.
This country was not only the most wonderful and great, but also the largest, so its inhabitants had to travel on trains for a long time. A long road without fragrant tea and a charming conductor's society seems tiring. And how on a train to do without this miraculous object, not only protecting the glass from cracks, but also passengers' hands from burns with boiling water.
6. Trust turnstiles
This is where the basic principles of national psychology are embodied. Only in our country turnstiles function like carnivorous plants. They lurk in the midst of iron crates, thereby creating in an unsuspecting person the illusion of absolute freedom and serenity.
However, with each attempt to illegally get inside, their jaws will close on the body of the offender just in the area of the most sensitive organs. Yes, looking for easy and comfortable ways is not our method. In the end, overcoming obstacles we temper our national character ...
5. Buckwheat
Despite the fact that the “buckwheat” root suggests that this most popular cereal in our country has something related to Greece, buckwheat is an original Russian product.
Ancient sources confirming the fact that even then some representatives of humanity ate buckwheat as food, were found only in the territory of modern Altai.
Consequently, it was most likely from there that the cereal spread throughout Asia, although at first it was not so popular. Only the Japanese and Chinese partially preserved the memory of buckwheat and sometimes use it in their diet.
Nutritionists argue that this is due to the fact that buckwheat needs to be used to from the earliest years, otherwise an adult, having first tried buckwheat groats cooked in accordance with all the rules, will feel nonspecific bitterness and synthetic taste. Therefore, besides our fellow citizens, no one eats buckwheat.
In fairness, it should be said that buckwheat is sold in some European countries and in the USA in “natural” food stores. However, there it looks quite unusual for the Russian eye: not fried, green and crushed.
4. Bath broom
For most foreigners, a bath broom is an instrument of torture, but we manage to get incomparable pleasure with this simple product. Steaming a broom reminds us of a whole ritual and has many of its subtleties.
But to make a good broom is not so simple. They say that with the help of certain brooms, various ailments can be treated and these arguments are not unfounded.
Yes, baths are not only in Russia. But only our country can boast of the presence of brooms in them.
3. Activated carbon
This drug has an absorbing effect, that is, it is able to attach and remove toxic compounds from the body.
It is no secret that in Russia and in the territory of the former USSR, activated carbon is considered to be something like vitamins - everyone treats it: a hangover, poisoning, obesity and even intestinal infection. However, few people understand that the uncontrolled intake of this drug can lead to very sad consequences.
2. Pickle
Marinadov in stores near and far abroad - more than enough. But you will not find our cucumber pickle during the day with fire. So, we can assume that the brine is our national treasure.
It is strange that the export of this miraculous potion has not yet been set up. Indeed, in this world, contrary to prevailing stereotypes, not only Russians can drink alcohol uncontrollably.
1. Footcloths
Despite the fact that we live in an age of incredible technological breakthroughs, including in the military industry, until recently, such a simple item as footcloths remained an indispensable element of soldiers' equipment.
After all, synthetics are very harmful to the health of the legs, which under an hour have to run 20 kilometers in tarpaulin boots. And socks made of natural fabrics must be sewn by each fighter according to an individual measure, otherwise they will cringe, and bloody corns will appear on their legs.