Grocery Shopping

Grocery shopping in Kiev can best be described as an adventure. We shop for a couple of days at a time, because we have to carry everything about 1/2 mile from the store to the flat (uphill and up the stairs).

The market is across the square from where we live. The grocery is actually located in the basement of a clothing store. Yes, you read that right. It is small and very close quarters. The organization seems a bit haphazard, but it is amazing the variety of products that are available.

The primary meat available is chicken. Some pork products also but little or no beef. I must admit we are getting very tired of chicken.

Not a lot of fresh fruits and veggies. Most is frozen and the selection varies from visit to visit. Fresh fruit is grown in Crimea (region in south Ukraine) or imported from Egypt, Lebanon or other warm countries. We generally have apples, small oranges and bananas on hand.

There is a lot of fresh looking bread and other baked goods. Not so great for us being gluten-free. But it is good to see it there for those who can eat it.

Probably the most unusual part of our grocery experience is having what amounts to stores within the store. Personal goods are in their own little section, and before you leave the room you must pay for your items. Same with fresh fruits and veggies (a small room that also houses nuts, honey and pet food). Any items not in their own little room are paid for as you leave the market. And you pay for bags to lug it all home.

All labels are in Ukrainian or Russian except for some recognizable brand names in English. We generally take a good guess off the pictures on the package and try to stay with things that don't require following directions in order to prepare properly. We've guessed fairly well so far.

Our main starch has been buckwheat. We could also choose rice or millet quite easily. Having never prepared buckwheat, I was glad to have our internet connection. Pretty tasty stuff and a common starch here in Ukraine.

Coffee and tea are big in Ukraine. Sodas are available but served room temp like in other parts of Europe. Coke is "Light" not "Diet" here. No one drinks the tap water, so we have to buy bottled water in addition to our food. That adds to the urgency of going to the store and to the weight of what we bring back.

When we were in the first region (for 2 whole days) the market there was more like a store in the U.S. - just MUCH smaller and no stores within the store. Less variety but still plenty to choose from.

If I can get some pictures of the market, I'll post them.