(; ; or ; ; ; ; ; ; ; meaning "horseradish" in all these languages) is a spicy paste made of grated horseradish. It is a common condiment for meat and fish dishes in Eastern and Central European cuisines (Slovene, northern Croatian, Belarusian, Czech, Slovak, German (especially Bavarian), Polish, Romanian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian, Ukrainian and Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine). comes from Yiddish , which is in turn a loanword from Slavic languages.

There are two common forms of in the Slavic and Ashkenazi Jewish cuisines. White consists of grated horseradish and vinegar, and sometimes sugar and salt, while red includes the addition of beetroot. These types of are distinct from other horseradish-based condiments in that they are pareve (contain no dairy products), making it acceptable at both meat and dairy meals according to Jewish dietary law. In contrast, many Central European varieties include cream, while some Russian recipes call for with smetana (sour cream). There are also varieties including apples, lingonberry, cranberry and oranges.

Chrain

The use of in Eastern and Central European cuisines Jewish communities is ancient, and is first attested in writing from the 12th century. Though it has had several historical uses, is most commonly associated in modern times with gefilte fish, for which it is considered an essential condiment. In Eastern and Central European cuisines chrain is a typical condiment for various fish dishes, as well as for meat and fish zakuski, such as kholodets (aspic) and beef tongue.

Chrain

See also

Khrenovina sauce

Hrenovuha

Wasabi

References

Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine

Condiments

Slavic cuisine

Austrian cuisine

Belarusian cuisine

Croatian cuisine

Czech cuisine

German cuisine

Israeli cuisine

Polish cuisine

Latvian cuisine

Lithuanian cuisine

Romanian cuisine

Russian cuisine

Slovenian cuisine

Ukrainian cuisine

Horseradish (condiment) Vinegar

Chrain