Putria

Putria (putra) is an old Ukrainian dish, especially widespread in the Poltava and Sloboda regions. It is a kind of cold porridge-drink with a sweet-sour character unusual to the modern palate, obtained through natural fermentation.

Putria was made thus: barley grain was boiled soft, mixed with buckwheat flour and malt (or sugar), covered with warm water, and left in the warmth for a day or two so that the mixture would ferment. The result was a light, refreshing, slightly effervescent dish with a pleasant tang. Putria was eaten cold, especially in summer, when it quenched thirst and hunger well. This now almost-forgotten dish is an interesting testimony to the old Ukrainian “fermentation” cuisine, in which natural fermentation was skilfully used for taste and benefit.