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Drinks
Popular in Krakow
Whatever you have heard tea is the everyday drink
in Poland, while coffee gives stimulus and
sipping it in company often has social function.
The country abounds in quality mineral waters,
and its excellent fruit crops produce tasty
juices. Milk is generally thought the kid’s
stuff but homely sour milk and its processed
equivalent, kefir, are common refreshers. Polish
vodka remains the traditional booze, yet beer has
recently become more popular.
Krakow Tea
Typical Pole drinks a glass of black tea for
breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, and in between
as well. His “herbata” is usually
pretty weak, with sugar and often a slice of
lemon, rarely milk (tea with milk is considered
good for lactating mothers). And on frosty days
hot tea with admixture of rum or strong vodka can
warm him up in a flash. Also herbal teas–i.e.
various blends of dried leaves, blossoms, and
berries–are prized either for their taste or
healthy properties, or both.
Coffee
in Krakow
Most Poles seem hooked on strong coffee and they
cannot carry on without a cup a day, or two or
more. Many still brew it the Polish way by
putting a spoonful or two of ground coffee into a
glass and filling the vessel up with boiling
water. Some do so even in Krakow though it is
held rather barbarian in the city enamored of
espresso. In its penchant for good coffee Krakow
resembles Vienna, close both geographically and
historically, and it may well rival the Austrian
capital in the saturation with cafés, some
century-old and museum-like, some brand-new and
trendy. They are to the residents of this city
what pubs are to Londoners and diners to New
Yorkers. In Krakow a meeting over a cup of coffee
is the most popular social occasion. It usually
entails at least an hour-long chat, argument, or
negotiations, be it between fresh acquaintances,
old friends, lovers, enemies or business
partners.
Soft
Drinks in Krakow
Poland’s
youngsters–but hardly any adults–have proved
a captive market to divers brands of both
American cola giants. Conversely, the French
mineral waters, though widely available, are no
competition to their cheaper Polish counterparts
of established reputation, notably those produced
in well-known spa resorts. At the same time there
is fierce rivalry between the country’s makers
of fruit juices–orange and grapefruit are based
on imported extracts but try such domestic
specialties as apple or black currant. Lastly, do
not drink tap water when in Poland unless you
must: it is safe yet hardly palatable.
Krakow's
Booze
Poland has long been part of the “vodka belt”, i.e. the crescent of north
European countries from Russia to Norway where
hard drinking looked like a part of everyday
life. Actually, Russians adopted their beloved
liquor from the Polish neighbors. Polish “wodka”
(pronounced “voodkah”) is rather strong, with
40-45 percent alcohol content. It should be
served straight, chilled but no ice, and
swallowed at one gulp. Unlike the Russian ones,
the Polish vodkas come in great variety. In
addition to the most popular “czysta wodka”
(i.e. absolute vodka)–cheaper brands distilled
from potatoes and finer ones from rye–there are
many time-honored flavors to choose from, such as
juniper, nut, pepper, plum, cherry, caraway seed,
etc. Like wines, they can be dry, half-dry,
half-sweet and sweet.
The
traditional Polish “nalewka”
(pronounced “nalavkah”) infusions of herbs,
berries or fruits steeped in vodka are yet
another story. Every second Krakow restaurateur
boasts its own “nalewkas” whose
recipes he guards as family secrets.
Wine
in Krakow
Up to the
mid 19th century respectable Poles disdained
vodka as plebeian booze and their hard liquor of
choice was either imported wine
or domestic mead made of fermented honey.
Nowadays the latter remains a local curio whereas
a wide selection of wines from all over the world
is available in Krakow shops. Yet some pricey
vintages may be hard to come by as most local
customers opt for cheaper Italian and Spanish imports as well as
Bulgarian, Hungarian
and Romanian ones.
Beer
in Krakow
Beer
has been brewed in Krakow for the last thousand
years and now it is the most popular alcoholic
beverage again (nonalcoholic beers are common in
Poland yet hardly popular). Present-day Polish
beers mostly resemble German lager.
Note:
Foreigners
loyal to their favorite liquor will find all
international brands of alcohol in Krakow’s
shops and bars.
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Krakow
Restaurants
Krakow is Poland’s mecca of
gourmets thanks to its many excellent
restaurants.
Krakow
Clubs
There is no shortage of places to drink,
eat, and stay merry late into the night in
Krakow.
Krakow
Cafes
Where,
what, and why a coffee addict may drink.
Eating
the Krakow Way
It is hearty indeed.
Smoking
in Krakow
Shopping
in Krakow
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