Kisel’ is the traditional Russian fruit pudding. Its name is derived from the word kislyi, “sour,” since the pudding has a delightfully tart taste. Kisel’ is also one of the oldest Russian foods. As early as the tenth century, Slavic tribes were making primitive puddings, but these precursors of kisel’ were made from grains instead of fruit.
Controversy rages as to the perfect consistency for kisel’. It can be as thin as soup or as thick as molded jelly. I think the best consistency is somewhere in between: a slightly thickened pudding that can still be poured, as in the recipes below.