The basis of the Soviet people’s diet was: bread, potatoes and other vegetables, buckwheat and pearl barley, canned goods, fish. In their vegetable gardens, Soviet citizens grew potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, strawberries, greens, etc. Some vegetables and fruits were simply stored in the cellar (for example, potatoes) or in the sofa (for example, apples), some were canned for the winter. Pickled cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini – the entire basement was filled with jars.
In the USSR, food was quite simple and perhaps not very sophisticated. In the period after World War II, in the conditions of economic recovery, there was a shortage of food products, which led to limited consumption per citizen.
At some times there was a shortage of food products. Right up until the introduction of cards (coupons for which the store gave out some particularly scarce products). But I remember well the coupons for vodka.
Poster advertising drinks in the USSR (Public Domian)
Tea with an elephant
There were several brands of Soviet tea, which were produced from raw materials grown in Crimea and the Caucasus. In Soviet stores, tea was sold in 100-gram paper bags.
The peculiarity of Soviet tea was that, due to sanitary norms and quality rules, it was forbidden to add synthetic flavors and dyes to its production, so the tea was naturally colored and did not have bright aromas. In addition, the leaves were cut quite large, which was not the best way, and sometimes it was necessary to grind the tea manually to make it more free-flowing.
Traditionally, tea was consumed with buns or cakes, but it was also drunk with milk, sugar or lemon.
The symbol of the USSR is considered to be the Indian tea “With an elephant”. There really was an elephant drawn on the pack.
Milk in triangular bags
In the USSR, triangular milk cartons appeared in the 1970s and became one of the symbolic things of Soviet life. The packaging was made of thin polyethylene and had a special corner that could be cut off to use the milk without pouring it out. During economic crises, milk cartons were an integral part of many families’ lives, since, unlike bottles, they took up less space and were cheaper.
Today, triangular bags have become less popular and are not used as often for packaging milk in different countries, having been replaced by other convenient forms of packaging.
Druzhba Cheese
The Druzhba cheese curd was not only a tasty treat, but also apparently symbolized the spirit of solidarity and collectivism that was the culture of the Soviet Union.
Today, Druzhba cheese curds are produced in Russia and several other countries, they are still popular among those with sweets and are restoring the traditions of the USSR.
Kefir with a foil lid
Kefir with a foil lid is a convenient container for storing kefir or other fermented milk products, which was invented in Russia in the early 2000s.
This packaging was created to help products maintain freshness and nutritional properties for a long time, as regular cardboard packages with a plastic lid did not provide sufficient airtightness. The foil lid reliably protected the kefir from air and preserved its quality for a longer period of time.
I remember that this is the kefir that the pirates from the film “Guest from the Future” drank.