What were Russian military rations like under the tsar?
What was on the menu of a Russian soldier of the 18th-19th centuries and how did nutrition affect the performance of the Russian army?
“Living in Paris is bad, brother – nothing to eat, it’s no use even asking for a piece of rye bread!” That’s what Peter Sheremetev told Alexander Pushkin after returning from Paris where he had been on diplomatic service in 1827. What’s so special about rye bread? Rich in vitamins and baked on sourdough, rye bread was a staple for any Russian – including the Russian soldiers.