According to Kremlin propaganda, the Russian master of the palace is a top-notch athlete who follows a healthy diet and refrains from smoking. However, at the table, as in politics, the czar is entitled to what others are not. What peculiarities color Vladimir Putin's dietary regime? What foods does he insist on having on his daily plate? As reported by the "Asharq Al-Awsat" newspaper.
Putin starts his day with a late, hearty breakfast, which is essential for him, especially when his schedule is packed. The Russian president's breakfast often consists of wheat porridge. According to what he once told reporters, he also eats cheese made on rural farms, known in Russian as "Tvorog." Other components of Putin's breakfast include honey and raw quail eggs. His morning drink is a cocktail made from beetroot and radish juice, a mixture known for its anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting benefits.
Years ago, the Russian president developed a habit of visiting a restaurant called "Podvorye" in Saint Petersburg for lunch. To honor these regular visits, the restaurant management decided to create special dishes inspired by the president's requests to add to their menu. Vladimir Putin's lunch includes some suggestions featuring the "czar's" favorite dishes, topped by "the frying pan," which consists of an assortment of meats such as sausages, "cutlets," and "scallops." Among the dishes he also requested was smoked sturgeon cooked with lemon and butter.
Whether at the restaurant or in the palace, all of the Russian president's food undergoes checks before he consumes it. According to British author Ben Judah, who wrote a book about Putin, the president's caution against potential poisoning drives him to subject everything he eats to food testing. Based on this diligence, the Kremlin's kitchen sources fresh vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients from lands belonging to Patriarch Kirill of Russia, as reported by the Russian newspaper "Pravda."
**Ice Cream First**
When asked by the former Kremlin chef about what President Putin enjoys eating the most, he answered without hesitation: "Fruit ice cream." There are many photos showing Putin enjoying homemade ice cream, and he doesn't hesitate to share it with high-ranking guests and fellow presidents.
Despite his great love for ice cream, Putin avoids desserts and sugar. Instead, he opts for fruits in the afternoon, as he personally informed Kremlin reporters. He added, "However, if I find kefir, I don't miss it." Kefir is a fermented milk drink that originated with shepherds in the Caucasus region. Among Putin's favorite drinks is also green tea.
As for alcoholic beverages, which Russians are known for consuming in large quantities, Putin does not seem to partake much. He consumes them in moderation and has repeatedly criticized Russia's "drinking culture," even attempting to put plans in place to reduce consumption by 50% nationwide.
**Mother's Pie**
Putin does not shy away from tasting new local dishes, especially during his foreign tours. He has stated this to reporters, explaining that he enjoys salads and vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers. He also loves chicken noodle soup and prefers rice and wheat over oatmeal.
Since the dietary habits of the "czar" occupy the public and media attention, Russian and international news agencies often try to uncover the secrets of his diet. Two years ago, the TASS agency published a statement from the Kremlin spokesperson, indicating that the Russian president prefers light meals and avoids baked goods. However, a stuffed cabbage pie with rice and meat makes him deviate from that rule. It is the only baked dish that Putin cannot resist, as it reminds him of his mother, Maria Ivanovna, who made it for him as a child in the family’s modest apartment in Saint Petersburg.
Among the tastes of his childhood is lamb soup with herbs from the Caucasus mountains. This dish has a special story, as Putin used to eat it made by his grandfather Spiridon. The Russian president repeatedly states that he prefers fish over meat, but he quickly clarifies that he likes lamb, reflecting a taste lingering from his early years.
**Grandson of Spiridon Putin**
In 2018, the Russian president appeared in a documentary where he briefly discussed his paternal grandfather, Spiridon Ivanovich Putin. He revealed that the man was "a valuable member of Stalin's team." However, the grandson did not elaborate much, but research into the Putin family tree shows that Spiridon (1879 - 1965) was the personal chef for Soviet leader Lenin and occasionally cooked for Joseph Stalin.
At 12, Spiridon Putin found a job in a small hotel in his village, and three years later moved to Saint Petersburg, where he studied culinary arts and then worked at the famous "Astoria" hotel. There, he once cooked for the royal family's healer Rasputin, who asked to meet him and presented him with a gold ruble out of admiration for his cooking.
After moving to Moscow, grandfather Putin entered Lenin's kitchen and did not leave until after the leader's death. Even at 86 years old, just months before his death, Spiridon continued to stand in front of his ovens and cooking pots. Apparently, it is a family tradition among the "Putins" to cling to their posts. Following in his grandfather's footsteps, Vladimir did not limit himself to the palace kitchen.
