Russian Culture Monday: Russians' Love for Ice Cream

When you travel to Russia, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the availability of ice cream. Sold in kiosks around cities and offered as a dessert in restaurants with various toppings, ice cream is everywhere.

The Russian affection for ice cream goes beyond seasonal infatuation or satisfying an occasional sweet tooth. Russians' love for ice cream is a noted aspect of Russian culture, though not as widely known as is Russians' love for vodka. Russians eat ice cream all year long - and, while this may not seem like anything remarkable, consider the especially bitter nature of Russian winters and ask yourself if ice cream would be your snack of choice!

Russian ice cream is most usually less creamy than ice creams enjoyed in the West, made with a greater ratio of ice to dairy. Ice cream can be gotten in bulk in "family size" containers, but any visitor to Russia will soon become familiar with the variety of single-serving ice cream treats available from vendors and refrigerated bins in shops, which are popular because they are convenient and ubiquitous.

The Russian word for ice cream is morozhenoe (prounounced mor-OH-zhen-oh-yeh).

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Ice Cream Treats photo credit: iStockphoto/TSchon