How did the Belev pastila reach Tashkent?
An apple does not necessarily have to crunch to tell you where it grew. Sometimes, it passes through a Russian oven, turns into a light layered pastila, and travels thousands of kilometers to reach the Uzbek table. This is the journey of the "Belev Pastila Manufactory" desserts, which are already sold in Uzbekistan and took part in the Made in Russia festival-fair in Tashkent on September 29.
How did Belev pastila end up in Tashkent?
In Belev pastila, the taste of baked apple is clearly felt: the sweetness does not hide under a thick glaze and is not overpowered by a sharp aroma. The basis of the classic recipe consists of apple puree and egg white. Fruit varieties contain lingonberry, cranberry, blackcurrant, or blueberry. This creates an airy, slightly elastic dessert with a noticeable sour taste — it pairs especially well with hot tea.
Belev is a small town in the Tula region, where apple pastila has long become an integral part of local history. The manufactory has preserved manual labor and technology dating back to the 19th century. Apples are baked, pureed, whipped with egg white, and then dried in layers. On one of the production sites, a Russian stove built in the 19th century is used for this purpose.
However, behind this simple picture lies a large industrial scale. The group unites five production sites and processes 20–25 tons of apples daily. Such an organization allows for the production of classic pastila, fruit options, and sugar-free desserts. For Uzbekistan, the classic "Fruit Assortment" and sugar-free cranberry pastila were selected in 50-gram packages.
The composition of the products is short and clear: apples, blackcurrant, lingonberry, cranberry, blueberry, and egg white. No artificial dyes, flavorings, or preservatives are used. The sweetness of fruits and berries is preserved in the product itself, while green apples determine the characteristic taste — they are dense, sour, and withstand baking well.
The pastila is cut into thin slices, but its layered structure is not just for decoration. Thin layers are needed for the apple mass to dry evenly and maintain its softness. Several variations of one recipe are packed into a small box — a convenient format for both a first introduction and a gift for the table.
In Uzbekistan, Belev pastila can be found in Organic Food and Fix Price stores, as well as ordered with delivery via Uzum. That is, to get acquainted with it, there is no need to make a special trip or wait for a rare exhibition. Some buyers notice the pastila during regular shopping, while others add it to an online order and taste it at home.