Poland due to its numerous border changes and mixing of many nationalities and ethnic groups has very diverse and interesting cuisine. There are many regional dishes that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The most famous polish tourist destination is Cracow. This is why with ITS DMC Poland, local Polish travel agency we want to give you some ideas that you should taste and explore during your stay in this former Polish capital that was for centuries the seat of Polish kings.
5 top delicacies that you should taste in Cracow and vicinity by ITS DMC Poland:
- Obwarzanek
- Pierogi
- Mead
- Vodka
- Oscypek
Obwarzanek
It has a long tradition in Cracow and is one of the flagship culinary products and symbols of Cracow. It can be found in numerous shops and stalls in the Old Town. It is also a favourite dish of hundreds of Cracow’s pigeons. The name ‘obwarzanek’ refers to its production process and derives from “obwarzać” (to parboil), a distinctive technique of boiling the dough by Cracow’s bakers. The Latin names, circulis and circinellos, refer in turn to the obwarzanek’s round shape. The first mention of Obwarzanek dates back to 1394 so, the Middle Ages. In 2010, the obwarzanek has been added to the list of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) by the European Commission. ITS DMC Poland states that the best place to discover this product in Cracow is Obwarzanek Museum, where during special workshops tourists can learn how Obwarzanek is made and prepare their own baked product of this type.
Pierogi
Pierogi are types of dumplings with special stuffing. They are slightly similar to Italian Ravioli but they are bigger and have a crescent shape. It is a fairly cheap dish that can be purchased in all restaurants serving Polish traditional cuisine. The most popular staffing include: meat, sour cabbage with mushrooms, potatoes, cottage cheese and fruits such as blueberries and strawberries. Still, more modern versions are continuously created with e.g. spinach, bacon or mozzarella cheese etc. Pierogi are very tasty and wholesome and can serve either as a side dish or a main dinner dish. Like with the case of Italian spaghetti there are almost no people that don’t like it. ITS DMC Poland recommends taking pierogi workshops in one of Cracow’s Old Town restaurants during which tourists prepare their own pierogi under the supervision of the best chefs in Cracow and then later on taste them in prestigious interiors of Cracow’s best restaurants.
Mead
It is an alcohol beverage created by fermenting honey with water, sometimes with various fruits, spices, grains, or hops. It was particularly popular during so called “Polish golden age” during the times oh huge Sarmatian manors and magnate latifundia. Nowadays, it is a popular gift alcohol in Poland. The defining characteristic of mead is that the majority of the beverage’s fermentable sugar is derived from honey and the alcoholic content ranges from 3.5 to 18 percent. A visit in Cracow is an excellent opportunity to discover this type of alcohol. ITS DMC Poland states that mead tasting workshops are one of the most popular past times joined with a dinner in some of the most prestigious Cracow’s restaurants. During such events tourists taste 3 various meads and listen to a lecture about this liquor.
Vodka
It is probably the most popular of Polish products and one of the country’s symbols. It is possible to taste various types of Vodka in all Cracow’s restaurants serving alcohol. Still, ITS DMC Poland advices to choose more refined place which is one of Vodka museums. The first place of this kind on our list is located in Oświęcim city and it is Jakob Haberfeld’s Museum. The museum is located on the site of the former Vodka and Liqueur Steam Factory. The other great Vodka Museum is located by Mercure Cracow Fabryczna City Hotel. It is the first interactive Vodka Factory Museum in Cracow that offers tastings and team building events.
Oscypek
Finally, last but not least is Oscypek sheep cheese. It is a symbol of Podhale region which is south of Cracow and a region of highland Tatras, the mountains with the alpine character. The best place to taste and purchase Oscypek is Zakopane, called the winter capital of Poland. Still, they can also be found in dishes in Cracow as well. In Zakopane Oscypek cheese is available almost at every corner, as a popular ingredient to highland dishes and also to be purchase on numerous street stalls. ITS DMC Poland proposes to visit Live Oscypek Museum in Biały Dunajec (10 km from Zakopane). The museum makes live presentation of Oscypek lore and provides all information about this delicacy.
Cracow is a very good destination to start your adventure with Poland. We heartily recommend to visit this part of the world that is so easily connected with all European countries by John Paul II Balice Airport. Discover the marvels of this ancient royal city and take culinary adventure with the most distinctive symbol products of Lesser Poland region. If you need any help in organizing group tour in Poland, feel free to contact ITS DMC Poland travel agents. The group coordinators there will be happy to prepare an interesting trip itinerary for you. Don’t wait any longer, start your Polish adventure still today!
