The word kutia is a borrowing from the Greek language κουκκί (bean) or κόκκος (grain).^[5]

In Ukraine kutіa is one of the two essential ritual dishes at the Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper^[6] (also known as Svyata vecherya). The ritual significance of kutia, as well as uzvar, is quite ancient. Ukrainian ethnographer Fedir Vovk traces the origins of these dishes to the Neolithic era. Before dinner, the kutia is placed in the icon corner ("kut") , the most honorable place in the house where religious icons or images are placed. The pot with the kutia was to stand there in a designated spot from Rizdvo (Christmas on December 25) to January 1, New Year's Day (formerly January 6 to the Old New Year in January 14).^[7] There is also a custom of sending children with kutia to relatives, usually grandparents and godparents. After dinner, the kutia is left on the table for the whole night with spoons for the dead ancestors, "so that our relatives would have dinner and not be angry with us." The religious nature of the dish is emphasized by an ancient custom, when the head of the family approached the window or went out into the yard with a spoonful of kutia and, addressing the frost, invited him three times to take part in dinner with the family. When the frost does not appear, he is advised not to appear, not to do harm to crops, etc.: "Frost, frost, come to us to eat kutia, and if you don't come, don't come for the rye, wheat and other crops."^[8][9][10]

Kutia is the first out of twelve dishes served for Svyata vecherya to be tasted.^[11] The head of the family takes the first spoon of the kutia, raises it up and calls out to the souls of departed family members to join them on this night. He then tastes the kutia, and throws the rest of the spoonful up to the ceiling. In rural towns, as many kernels of grain as stick to the ceiling, there should be swarms of bees and newborn cattle in the coming year. In the same vein, if there are many poppy seeds that remain on the ceiling, there would be a chance for more hen should lay as many eggs in the coming year than usual. In cities the same would imply a prosperous new year for the family and also a show of remembrance for their rural roots.^[12] Everyone present eats a spoonful of kutia, after which the other dishes are brought out and eaten.^[13]

The main ingredients used to make traditional kutia are wheatberries, poppy seeds and honey.^[14] At times, walnuts, dried fruit and raisins are added as well. Kutia is a Lenten dish and no milk or egg products can be used in this – since December 24 is a paramony – strict fasting and abstinence – day in the Eastern Orthodox Church and in Byzantine Rite Catholics. There are known kutia recipes that use pearl barley or millet instead of wheatberries.^[15]

Kolyvo is a Ukrainian ritual dish similar to kutia, but includes no poppy seeds. Kolyvo is served at remembrance services.

Kutya is known in Poland as kutia and kucja,^[16] where it can be served as part of the Twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper,^[17] though its origins predate Christianity in Poland and can be traced back to customs of the Slavic Native Faith.^[18] However, it is eaten primarily (though not exclusively) in the eastern regions of Podlasie, the Lublin area, and Subcarpathia, near the borders with Belarus and Ukraine.^[19] It can also be commonly found among Bug River Poles and other generations with ancestry in the Eastern Borderlands, who are scattered across all of Poland.^[20] Besides Wigilia, kutia is also served on New Year's Eve and other special occasions, such as wakes.^[18]

Traditional old Polish kutia is made using wheat, poppy seeds (ground in a special pot called makutra), honey, raisins, walnuts or hazelnuts, almonds, and vanilla; some recipes also include milk or śmietana.^[17] Kutia is sometimes prepared using rice or kasha instead of wheat.^[20][16]

A number of customs and rituals in Polish tradition, such as fortune telling, are associated with kutia. This is particularly true for older generations and rural areas of eastern Poland, as well as their descendants who can be found across all regions of Poland.^[20][19] Kutia is also eaten among the Ukrainian and Belarusian minorities living in Poland.

A dish of boiled grains (usually wheat berries) mixed with honey, nuts, spices, and a few other ingredients is traditional in other countries^[21] as well:

• Bulgaria – kolivo
• Greece – koliva
• Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan – ameh masslouk or snuniye
• Romania – colivă
• Russia – (also) sochivo
• Serbia – koljivo (to wit: sacrifice), or simply: žito (ie, wheat)
• Sicily – cuccìa
• Syria – sliha or burbara (for Eid il-Bur-bara, St. Barbara's Feast throughout the Middle East)

Somewhat similar, but with a different origin, and somewhat different ingredients, is the Islamic, especially Turkish, sweet dish of Ashure.

• Video-recipe of Kutia with English subtitles