Issue 8 2014
We’re certainly looking forward to welcoming everyone to Sochi and celebrating the Games!
Sochi is home to people of around 150 different nationalities, so if athletes want to try some traditional cuisine, they will be spoiled for choice – not only with Russian food, but also Armenian, Georgian, Azerbaijani and more. If the athletes want to try some traditional Russian food, they could try pelmini, which are traditional Russian dumplings and come in many different varieties. Of course, there is borscht, which is a traditional soup, and there are just simple things like the fresh vegetables – some of the best in the world!
Those visiting Sochi must also try some sundried persimmon fruit. For traditional Russian drinks, there is chacha, which is like Italian grappa or the rakia you get in Slovenia and Croatia. If the athletes want to reward themselves at the end of the Games, then I suggest they try blini with caviar, as black caviar is very expensive!
The Central Market (22 Moskovskaya ulitsa) in Sochi is also great, selling local produce, honey, meat, cheese and other delicacies. It’s adjacent to Alexandria Mall, where you can buy designer clothes.
Sochi is also well known for its tea production, with some of the most northernmost plantations in the world. If you like tea, try visiting the Dagomys Tea Plantation (18A Batumskoye shosse, Lazorevsky District). While there, you can enjoy a tea party in a traditional wooden izba (country log home), along with a performance of Russian folk songs while drinking tea in the traditional Russian way – from the samovar.
I’m sure everyone in Sochi will have a great time and leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of Russian culture.