A fermented shot of hapu/kapsa/mahl (sauerkraut juice) goodness for the 99th anniversary of Estonian independence. Terviseks! (To your health) and Elagu! (Long live… Let’s keep on living!) are all the more credible, when what you raise is of great probiootiline (probiotic) and ensümaatiline (enzymatic) value. The self preserving, acidic liquid – piim/hape (lactic acid) – that is a by-product of the hapendamise (fermentation) process is incredibly beneficial to digestion.
Believe it or not, once you try this sauerkraut juice, you will, from time to time, crave its specific sour and salty punch. Its label reads: Saadud hapendatud kapsa (valge peakapsas, porgand, sool, köömned) pressimisel.
Obtained from compressing fermented cabbage (white cabbage, carrots, salt, caraway seeds).
In Estonia, the sound celebratory klaasid make when klinking with others is kill-kõll. Be sure to make and maintain eye contact with your toasting partner and to tervita (toast) with something unique and yummy.
Some expressions that could come in handy on 24. veebruar: Terviseks! To your/our health! Elagu Eesti! Long live Eesti! Ja klaasid kokku kõlagu! And may the glasses sound harmonious together.
Mina jään! I’m staying, I’m here to stay, I will remain! Also the name of this summer’s Youth Song and Dance Celebration (laulupidu.ee).
Mina ka! Me too! Also this name of this year’s Children’s and Youths’ Year of Culture (Laste ja Noorte Kultuuriaasta 2017, minaka.ee).
Photo and text: Riina Kindlam, Tallinn