Like I have already written in one of the posts, there were not much food choice in the shops. In addition, products were extremely expensive that only few people could afford them. Luckily, the hunger times did not last for too long. Gradually, things started changing for the better in terms of food availability. And a new trend appeared – products from the USA. As you probably know, there were from few to none foreign food products in the Soviet Union. So, having something from abroad was a big thing. Having something from the USA was unbelievable luxury.
There were shops which sold soy milk and cheese, which came all way from the other continent. Soy products were very cheap, and they could replace expensive dairy products, at least for a while. In addition, soy was something new and exotic to Russian people. It tasted so different from anything else.
Another trend which emerged was chicken legs. Of course, chickens and their legs existed in the USSR, too. During the collapse and deficit it caused, it was hardly possible to get such a food. As soy, the chicken legs were originated in the USA. There were plenty of them in shops, and again, the price was affordable. What is really interesting, the chicken legs, delivered from the USA, were called Bush’s legs. That was the term widely used in families, shops, on TV. This term represents the particular epoch of USA imported goods.
Later, people started questioning the quality of soy products and chicken legs. There were discussions that these products contained harmful substances, antibiotics, etc. And maybe they did. Yet, those products helped to overcome the hunger, while the country was ‘recovering’.
Interestingly, the 90s were the cult of the USA. Beside soy and chicken legs, new things appeared in the shops – chocolate bars, soft drinks. American music and movies became extremely popular. If you are interested, I can make a separate post about the USA influence in the 90s Russia.
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My sweat is borscht ππ€
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That is a good one! ππ
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Interesting to read about how people welcomed food and culture from the USA. Did the knowledge of the food poor quality affect this? Do people still embrace the American products and culture with the political problems?
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Thank you for the comment. I guess people were so hungry that quality did not matter much. Nowadays, the attitude is generally colder due to the diligent work of media.
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Yes please, Miss Elenka … tell us more~!
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Very soon! π
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love this post.
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Thanks! π
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So interesting and something a little different to read
Things you donβt see in every day news
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Thank you! I had a struggle if I should write about this or not, but it was a part of my life.
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Of course you should write about your life ..that’s what blogging is all about!
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True, but some aspects may be too personal π
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another great read! thanks for sharing! But chicken legs??? what really? just the legs? I think that’s more of a Chinese thing. how bizarre
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What do you mean? You don’t eat chicken legs? π
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Thank you for this window in to 90βs Russia. Very interesting post, and I agree about food. When thereβs not much to go around, you eat what you can to survive.
My former boss, a Dutchman, (at a flower shop) told me how they ate tulip bulbs in Holland for most of WWII because they would have otherwise starved. Makes me realize once again how lucky I have been.
That aside, all the best for 2020. π
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Hunger makes people do crazy things, so I am happy it was never too bad. Thank you for your warm wishes! Have a great year ahead! π
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Thank you, Elena! I’m glad to hear it. All the best to you for 2020!
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Another interesting post. I have truly never heard of chicken legs being called “Bush legs”. That makes me laugh. I am glad that you are no longer having to deal with so many problems, and that you can travel freely and do your blogging. Best wishes! π
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The name is definitely a very interesting one. There must be a post in Wikipedia on it. Just imagine how the whole thing was. π
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