Russia today – Анонимный чат России

Interesting facts about the taste preferences of the highest ranks of the Soviet Union Posting in CHAT: Russia During the reign of leaders and general secretaries, they tried to protect Soviet citizens from Western food. Probably considering it ideologically harmful. However, sometimes there were exceptions: if Stalin or Khrushchev liked a product, it was immediately bought and then produced. True, ordinary people rarely became acquainted with new tastes; raw fish and bananas, Stalin most often chose a simple but varied diet, giving preference to Russian cuisine. But sometimes he surprised his colleagues with strange requests. One such case was his order to deliver nelma to Moscow, which was discussed by Anastas Mikoyan, a leading food specialist in the Soviet Union. The request turned out to be not difficult and the fish began to be delivered. Mikoyan himself tried raw fish for the first time and realized that he did not want to touch it, but then he liked the dish. According to Mikoyan, nelva was frozen tightly, cut into the thinnest plastics and served immediately to the table so that it would not defrost. The taste of the fish was pleasant, somewhat similar to a candy product. They ate it with garlic and salt, washed down with cognac. Vyacheslav Molotov spoke about Stalin’s craving for raw fish, linking this with his stay in Siberian exile (Turukhansky district). In our time, many have already tried this dish in sushi restaurants, but then it was enjoyed mainly by residents of the northern regions, and representatives of Soviet citizens could try bananas thanks to the initiative of Generalissimo Stalin. In his memoirs “It Was Like This,” Anastas Mikoyan describes the summer of 1951, when he and his wife were vacationing in Sukhumi. At that time, senior Soviet figures such as Stalin, Malenkov and Bulganin vacationed at various resorts: Stalin in New Athos, Malenkov in Myussery and Bulganin in Sochi. During one of Stalin's dinners, bananas were served, which were rare at that time and were imported to some large cities. Mikoyan, who oversaw foreign trade, was responsible for the supply of bananas. Despite the difficulties in transporting small quantities, especially during the winter months, thanks to his efforts the task was successfully completed. The bananas served looked big and good but were green and not ripe enough. Stalin tried the banana and turned to Mikoyan with a question about the quality. Mikoyan also tried this fruit and noticed that its taste was reminiscent of potatoes and it was impossible to eat. Stalin asked why the bananas were like that, and Mikoyan suggested that perhaps they entered the distribution network unripe, were stored or transported incorrectly. In the future, it is unknown whether any measures were taken against those responsible for the transportation, but such situations with scarce goods were common. Bananas were often "potato" bananas. Stalin preferred simple but high-quality food. Kosygin: Drinking cognac to avoid poisoning Indian cuisine was not always approved by our leaders, but the responsibilities of visiting a third world partner country and a friendly state forced them to find themselves in similar situations. Viktor Sukhodrev, who acted as a translator during contacts with the Indian leadership, recalled an incident when the Chairman of the Government of the Soviet Union, Alexei Kosygin, expressed dissatisfaction with the spiciness of an Indian dish. He was also worried about possible stomach problems and was afraid to eat unfamiliar food. To solve this problem, Kosygin asked for a bottle of cognac before dinner to reduce the risk of illness from the local cuisine. This step showed caution and attention to one's health. According to the protocols of the 9th Directorate of the KGB of the Soviet Union, leaders usually carried a supply of food with them and preferred to eat at home when traveling. But it was unacceptable to refuse local cuisine at official receptions. In India, Kosygin drank cognac to avoid poisoning from local food. The leaders of the Central Committee preferred food even at official events. Alexei Salnikov, who worked for four decades in the state security agencies, said that before every official reception or dinner, he was among those responsible for the security of high-ranking officials. We carefully studied the menu and tried every dish. His job was not only to ensure safety, but also to make sure our leaders were happy with the food. However, even after dinners with exotic dishes, the leaders enjoyed their native cuisine. An example is the case when three secretaries of the Central Committee - Voroshilov, Kozlov and Furtseva - were in Nepal in the early 60s. After the banquet ended, Furtseva decided to go to her apartment to enjoy an authentic Russian appetizer, including sturgeon caviar, fish, sausages and cold Stolichnaya vodka. It should be noted that sturgeon caviar is one of the most luxurious and prestigious products of Russian cuisine. Sturgeon caviar, known for its large grain and rich taste, has long been considered a delicacy of high society. Its presence on the table spoke of a desire for luxury and sophistication. Ekaterina Furtseva preferred Russian cuisine to exotic cuisine. How Mikoyan tried a boa constrictor One funny incident happened with Anastas Mikoyan, a “veteran” of the Politburo, who often traveled abroad in connection with diplomatic missions. On one such trip to China in the late 1940s, he encountered an unusual treat from Mao Zedong. Mao decided to surprise the entire delegation by offering them a dish, which he asked them to “taste” and then guess what it was made of. After the people had eaten their portions and expressed gratitude for the delicious food, Mao told them about the origin of the dish. It turned out that venison was served on the table! He was tracked down and prepared specifically for the delegation. The hunter spent a week searching, rubbing his feet with lard and training to slow his heart rate. The animal, attracted by the smell of lard, tried to swallow the brave man's leg. The hunter reacted instantly, did not allow himself to suffocate, dealt with the mighty boa constrictor and was even able to deliver it alive to the kitchen. Only after this was he stabbed to death and the original “second” prepared for dinner. The unusual story about the origin of the dish caused different reactions among the members of the delegation, but Anastas Mikoyan, in the tradition of a true communist, expressed gratitude to Mao Zedong for such an unusual and interesting story and for a delicious dinner. treated to a boa constrictor dish Source link Source link