The fish soup is one of the most ancient Russian dishes that have been prepared since time immemorial, because fish has always been available to ordinary people. For its preparation, fish species were used that give the broth the stickiness and aroma it needs. And at the end of cooking, a stack of traditional Russian drink, vodka, was usually added.
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Why add vodka to your ear
Today it is not known for certain when this alcoholic drink was added to the ear and for what reason. According to one version, this was done to appease the ear, making it thereby more tasty and rich. On the other hand, vodka served as a kind of enhancer of the taste of this dish, adding to it a light, pleasant peppercorn for the Russian peasant, which ordinary spices cannot give.
There is also an opinion that in ancient times they tried to slightly disinfect the water in which it was brewed. After all, they usually picked it for fish soup from a river or a reservoir - from the same place from where the fish was caught. Of course, if you were preparing it on the beach.
Currently, vodka is added to the ear to neutralize a little the unpleasant taste and aroma of river fish, often giving away mud. In addition, this drink gives the dish a very special taste, especially if you cook it in nature.
Perhaps it was the tradition of cooking fish soup near the place of catch that served as the basis for flavoring this dish with vodka, a drink that was most often accompanied by a Russian peasant during fishing.