“ШТОФ” So, what exactly is that?
Штоф (Shtof) is an old Russian unit of liquid measurement used in the Russian Empire before the introduction of the metric system. The shtof was typically used to measure the volume of alcoholic beverages such as vodka, wine, and liqueurs. The word "shtof" itself comes from the German "Stoff" - "large glass or cup." There were two main types of shtof - the десятериковый (десятериковый), equal to 1.23 liters or 10 charkas, and the осьмериковый (osmerikovoy), equal to 1.53 liters or 12.5 charkas.
What a shtof looked like
A shtof is a four-sided bottle with a short neck for storing and serving strong alcoholic beverages with a volume of about 1.2 liters. "Shtof" translated from German means "large glass."
Traditionally, shtofs were made of green or brown glass in the shape of a truncated four-sided prism with a short cylindrical neck closed with a ground-glass stopper. Classic vodka shtofs had a capacity of 1.23 liters, which corresponded to 1/10 of a vedro (bucket) - the basic unit of liquid measurement in the Russian Empire.
There were also shtofs with volumes of 0.6 liters (half-shtof) and 0.3 liters (shtofik - small shtof). Modern vodka shtofs can have the shape of either a classic truncated prism or a cylinder. Volume varies from 0.5 to 1.5 liters. Shtofs were traditionally used for bottling and storing strong spirits - primarily vodka. In addition, shtofs were used to serve homemade infusions and liqueurs. Sometimes shtofs were used for cognac, liqueurs, and gin.
Nowadays, shtofs are often used as interior decoration elements in the form of candleholders, flower vases, and other decorative items.
Where shtofs were used
Shtofs were widely used in the Russian Empire and also in the USSR until the 1950s. They were used both domestically and in public establishments for serving and drinking strong spirits. In households, vodka shtofs often stood on tables in peasant huts and middle-class homes.
Vodka was poured from the shtof into shot glasses and charkas during feasts and festive celebrations. The shtof was convenient for transporting and serving beverages, so it was readily used in field conditions - at picnics, hunting, and fishing. In drinking establishments of the Russian Empire - taverns, inns, roadside inns - vodka was served to patrons precisely from shtofs.
The shtof was placed on the counter next to shot glasses, and drinks were dispensed from it. There were also special "shtof shops" that traded exclusively in vodka in sealed shtofs for takeaway. In Soviet times, shtofs were used for selling and drinking vodka in beer bars, restaurants, at railway stations, and on long-distance trains. In dining cars, vodka was served in shtofs, accompanied by herring, pickles, and other snacks.
Shtofs were also used for transporting and storing vodka at industrial enterprises, collective farms, and military units. With the advent of mass production of round bottles of standard sizes in the 1950s-60s, shtofs gradually lost their former popularity. However, even today they are sometimes used for bottling premium vodka varieties, as well as elements of restaurant interiors and rare collectible dishware.
Converting shtof to liters and grams As already mentioned, the classic vodka shtof held 1.23 liters of liquid. This is a very convenient volume for household use. For comparison:
· A standard bottle of vodka or other strong alcoholic beverage today contains 0.5 liters.
· An increased-volume vodka bottle can hold 0.7 liters.
· A magnum is a bottle with a capacity of 1.5 liters.
One shtof is practically equivalent to two regular bottles of vodka. This is very convenient when purchasing and transporting beverages. At the same time, a shtof is smaller than a magnum, so it's easier to carry. To convert the amount of vodka in shtofs to modern volume measurements, you can use the following equivalents:
1 shtof ≈ 1.2 liters 1/2 shtof ≈ 0.6 liters 1/4 shtof ≈ 0.3 liters
Conversion to grams: 1 liter of vodka weighs approximately 950 grams, accordingly:
· 1 shtof of vodka weighs ≈ 1.2 liters × 950 g/l ≈ 1,140 grams
· 1/2 shtof of vodka weighs ≈ 570 grams
· 1/4 shtof of vodka weighs ≈ 285 grams
The shtof in Russian history and culture.
Shtofs occupy a notable place in Russian history and culture. They were used for storing and drinking strong spirits over several centuries - from the 18th to the 20th. In the Russian Empire, the shtof became the basic unit of measurement for the volume of alcoholic beverages.
The most common was the десятериковый shtof with a volume of 1.23 liters. The осьмериковый shtof (1.5 liters) was also used. The emergence of mass production of shtofs in the 18th century is connected with the reforms of Peter I, who sought to bring Russian life closer to European standards. The word "shtof" came from the German language (stof). The widespread use of shtofs for vodka and other strong beverages was reflected in Russian culture.
The shtof is often mentioned in classical literature - works by Pushkin, Gogol, Chekhov, and Gorky. The shtof motif is present in painting (paintings by A.G. Venetsianov, B.M. Kustodiev). In addition to household use, shtofs were used in public catering. In the Russian Empire from 1818, there were "shtof shops" that sold vodka in sealed shtofs for takeaway. In Soviet restaurants and trains, vodka was traditionally served in shtofs. In the mid-20th century, shtofs were displaced by standard round bottles.
Nevertheless, the shtof has not sunk into oblivion but continues to be used for premium vodka varieties, as well as an element of restaurant decor and rare antiques. The modest shtof left a significant mark on the history of Russian culture, becoming an integral part of everyday life and traditions over two centuries.
