Bulgarian Cuisine

Food is one of the great pleasures of Bulgarian lifestyle. Because of its geographical position and long history Bulgarian cuisine is a strange but enchanting mixture between European, Oriental and Mediterranean cuisines and you will be amazed by the spectrum of lovely-tasting dishes offered here.

Owing to the relatively warm climate and diverse geography affording excellent growth conditions for a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruits, Bulgarian cuisine is particularly diverse. Bulgarian cuisine pretends to have given the roots to many Balkan specialities but at the same time has learned from the experience of the neighbours.

In order to get the taste of the local flavour, you should not only go to the spectacular historical sites and picturesque landscape, rather you should also sample restaurants and bars that pepper the country's major cities, towns and other tourist destinations. It may also be a good idea to spend time in bakeries, markets and other small pubs for more authentic gastronomical finds.

Bulgarians like their salads: a salad and rakia (schnapps usually made from grapes) are the obligatory start to the meal. Be warned, this stage of the meal can be a very drawn-out process lasting up to an hour.

National specialities include a lot of different products. National specialities include: Shopska salad (sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and parsley topped with grated sheep's cheese); and tarator ( a cold soup of chopped cucumber, walnuts and yogurt) perfect for hot summer days. White sheep's cheese baked with eggs is another favorite. Other typical items on the menu include kebapcheta (minced meat rolled into sausage shapes and grilled), kavarma (individual casseroles of pork or veal, onions and mushrooms), shishkebab, stuffed vine or cabbage leaves and moussaka. Yogurt too, tastes better in Bulgaria, its country of origin.

The bread has always been present on the Bulgarian table. Bulgarians eat bread with everything - with their salads, with their main meal, sometimes just with cheese and tomatos. Bulgarians like to meet their guests with bread and salt, it is a sign of friendliness and hospitality.

Bulgarian wines are the perfect companion for Bulgarian food. The choice is wide. World renowned vineyards, from all parts of the country provide an

endless flow of wine and Rakia, complementing every mealtime. The country also brews good beer; leading brands include Kamenitsa and Zagorka.

Bulgarian dishes and drinks have their devotees even among the most refined gastronomers and tasters. Bulgarian yogurt is an industry, and the Roasted Red Pepper even an attraction.

Tips

If you like to taste a traditional Bulgarian cuisine be a guest of a small family hotel, where you will be treated with hospitality and served a tasty, fresh home made food.

Ask for the specialty of the region you are visiting and taste it; thus you will discover the “geographic taste” of the Bulgarian traditional cuisine.

If you want to cook a Bulgarian dish when back home, better take with you the Bulgarian herbs and spices which are the secret of the enchanting taste and flavor.