Edna M. Colman included in her book White House Gossip: From Andrew Johnson to Calvin Coolidge (Doubleday, Page, & Company, New York, 1927, p. 48) an account of a complex treaty negotiation during the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant. At a dramatic point in the unfolding of events, in which the Russian emperor and his ambassador in Washington were apparently at odds with each other, an interesting food "ritual" occurred.
Ms. Colman writes, "Grand Duke Alexis [third son of the Russian emperor] arrived and proceeded at once to the legation, where he was welcomed by Madame de Catacazy [wife of the emperor's Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States], elegant and charming in a gown of gold silk. As the Grand Duke entered the legation, Madame met him with a touch of his native traditional courtesy — [presenting him a] gold salver on which was placed a round loaf of black bread surmounted by a golden salt cellar. The Prince took the uninviting loaf, broke it, and tasted it, in accordance with the Russian custom."
Dear friends,
Does any reader know the explanation of the above-described Russian custom? If you have any information about it, please drop me a line by e-mail or letter.
Thank you!
Patricia Mitchell
P. O. Box 429
Chatham VA 24531-0429
answers@foodhistory.com
Copyright © 1999 Patricia B. Mitchell.