Shtof

Vodka is undoubtedly one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world. They have even heard about it on the other side of the globe. But few even of our compatriots know that in Russia it is customary to serve vodka in a special container - a damask or decanter .

The word “shtof” appeared in Russia along with the first German glassblowers. It meant a measure of weight and was equal to 1/10 of a bucket. Shtoffs began to be called squat tetrahedral drink bottles , often made of cloudy green glass, with a low neck. Such bottles were popular among the people, and those painted with masterful designs were popular even among the boyars.

The quality of the glass produced was not particularly high, and the shapes were not distinguished by elegance, but great demand also generated supply. Over time, the damask began to improve and change, but at the same time retained its peculiarity, distinguishing it from all other containers: squat, geometric, thin neck, more typical of a bottle.

Nowadays, damask is not only a tribute to tradition, but also an indicator of good taste.