Instructions: **NOTE** Water must be hot as it will kill the yeast. Oven must be preheated to 200 degrees F. Cube bread then spread on a cookie sheet and place in oven for 1 hour. Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil and drop in the bread.. Remove from heat, cover with a towel, & allow to sit at room temperature for 8 hours. Strain through a fine seive by pressing the moistuire from the bread. Sprinkle the yeast & 1/4 teaspoon of sugar over the cup of lukewarm water and stir to dissolve the yeast completely. Set aside in a warm place covered by a towel for approx. 10-12 minutes or until. mixture doubles in volume. Add the mint leaves, and remaining sugar, stir well then re-cover with the towel and set aside for 8-12 hours more at room temperature.

Again strain the mixture through a fine seive. Pour into a 1 gal.

container, add the raisins, cover the top with plastic wrap, secure with a rubber band, and place in cool NOT cold, spot for 4-5 days or until the raisins are floating and the sediment has sunk to the bottom. Pour off the clear amber liquid and rebottle in a clean jug or bottles. refrigerate until ready to use. In Russia this is a beverage as well as cold soup stock.

Uralsk, Kazakhstan

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