For a long time, products originating from Russia have always been practical for users. In the case of Hematogen, the unique ingredients of this candy are believed to help those who consume it treat anemia, malnutrition, and fatigue.
Hematogen is a nutritional food loved by both children and adults. This candy has a sweet chocolate vanilla flavor along with health benefits.
A Hematogen bar.
Initially, Hematogen was only sold in pharmacies, but now it can be found in many stores across former Soviet countries such as Russia and Ukraine, and even in the United States and Canada. You can even order them on Amazon.
Beef Blood Ingredients
The first version of Hematogen was produced in 1890 in Switzerland. Back then, it was a mixture of beef blood and egg yolks. This original version was called “Gomel’s Hematogen.”
However, in the 1920s, Soviet manufacturers adjusted the formula to meet demand. They used Hematogen as military food due to its lightweight, easy storage, appealing taste, and high nutritional content.
Over time, due to its sweet chocolate vanilla flavor, Hematogen has become a popular snack among many.
Hematogen is a very appealing food.
The bars of Hematogen are typically supplied from slaughterhouses. Europeans do not have a habit of cooking dishes from beef blood, so utilizing it in candy production is quite unique.
The production process of Hematogen takes about 24 hours. First, condensed milk, sugar, glucose syrup, vanilla, and chocolate are mixed together. Then, this mixture is allowed to cool because adding beef blood while the mixture is still hot would cause it to solidify. The next day, the gel-like mixture with added blood is molded into bars and packaged.
Contrary to what many foreigners might think, most people in Russia are well aware that Hematogen bars contain beef blood, but there is no stigma attached. This iron-rich food is delicious and helps treat anemia in young children and pregnant women, as well as speeding up the recovery of injured soldiers.
Due to its high iron content, the Hematogen bar leaves a strange metallic aftertaste in the mouths of those who consume it, which is also a peculiar addictive quality of this candy. However, Hematogen is also recommended to be consumed in moderation as each bar contains a high amount of sugar.
Today, Hematogen no longer resembles its original form as current manufacturers use blood powder instead of real blood, but the taste still evokes many old memories for those who have eaten it.
