Pastila

Pastila (Russian пастила ) is a well known since the 14th century Russian sweetness of dried fruit puree.

To prepare the Pastila the puree of apples indigenous, mostly sour varieties has traditionally been used. The aim was originally less making a dessert, but rather the efficient use of excess apple harvest by their preservation in the form of a longer-lasting product. The apples were first peeled, cored and chopped. The composition was (originally: honey) by the addition of plenty of sugar sweetened and processed using a whisk or a similar tool, partly also by heating the oven to puree. Once the puree was sufficiently hard, it was formed into two to three centimeters thick leaves, which was then allowed to dry for several days in a warm place. For the production of many varieties Pastila the finished puree layers were adhered to each other similar to a puff and dried in this state for a second time.

Since the 15th century, egg white has been increasingly used in the preparation of the puree for Pastila. This gives the finished Pastila their typical white or cream-colored shape. Moreover, until the 19th century many Pastila varieties, where instead of apples or in addition to those other fruits or berries were used to make the puree.

As the first Russian city, was manufactured in the Pastila, Kolomna is suspected. There is since 2009 a Pastila Museum and a small production facility for Pastila according to traditional local recipes. Also Beljow and Rzhev were once considered traditional Pastila - manufacturing sites. Generally, however, lost the Pastila production crafted since the early 20th century considerable importance. Nowadays Pastila is almost exclusively produced industrially.

Closely related to the Pastila is Sefir, also a candy made ​​from applesauce, sugar and egg whites, which is awarded by the addition of agar their typical jelly-like consistency similar to the marshmallows. Sefir is produced today in Russia just like Pastila masse industrially. Popular include Sefirstücke in chocolate icing, which resemble the taste was the chocolate kisses.