Breakfast

Since the 16th century, the capital had been growing in size and wealth, and with it increased the complexity and variety of the menu at the imperial court and for those who served there. Moscow began to purchase foreign wines and spices more often, and developing trade routes allowed for products from various regions of the country to be delivered to rich people’s tables. Old Moscow cuisine began to incorporate foreign recipes and products. Thousands of people serving at court and in aristocratic homes saw and tasted these novelties. This is how Moscow’s kulturträger-like gastronomic character began to form. Tea from China first appeared at court in the 1640s and on the market in the 1670s – this was fast for the 17th century.