Category: Food

Category: Food

Polish food

Kuchnia Polska

Polish food is a delicious blend of traditional Slavic flavours with influences from neighbouring countries such as Germany, Russia, and Hungary. With its hearty dishes and comforting flavours, Polish food is a celebration of the country’s rich cultural heritage and history. Polish food is still enjoyed by millions of Poles despite the wide range of other cuisines available in Poland today.

One of the most iconic Polish dishes is pierogi, which are small dumplings filled with various ingredients such as mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, cheese, or meat. Pierogi are typically boiled and then served with sour cream or fried onions. They are a popular comfort food in Poland and can be found in many variations throughout the country.

Another popular dish in Poland is bigos, a hearty stew made with sauerkraut, meat, and sausage. This dish is often served with rye bread and is a perfect winter warmer, as it’s both filling and flavourful.

If you’re looking for something lighter, Polish food also offers a wide variety of soups. One of the most popular soups is barszcz, which is a beetroot soup that’s often served with uszka (small dumplings filled with mushrooms or meat). Another popular soup is zurek, which is made with fermented rye flour and served with boiled eggs and sausage.

Polish food

Polish food also has a sweet side. One of the most famous Polish desserts is paczki, which are small, round doughnuts filled with fruit or cream. Paczki are typically eaten on Fat Thursday, which is the last Thursday before Lent, and are a staple of Polish cuisine.

Poland is also well known for its meat dishes, such as kotlet schabowy (pork cutlet), which is a breaded and fried pork cutlet served with potatoes and vegetables. Another popular meat dish is kielbasa, which is a type of sausage that can be found in many variations throughout Poland.

Polish food also has a strong tradition of baking. Some of the most popular Polish pastries include sernik (cheesecake), makowiec (poppy seed cake), and drozdzowka (sweet yeast bread). These pastries are often enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea and are a perfect way to end a meal.

Preparation

The traditional cuisine generally is demanding, and Poles allow themselves a generous amount of time to prepare and enjoy their festive meals, with some meals (like Christmas eve or Easter Breakfast) taking a number of days to prepare in their entirety.

Traditionally, the main meal is eaten about 2pm, and is usually composed of three courses, starting with a soup, such as popular bouillon or tomato or more festive barszcz (beet) or zurek (sour rye meal mash), followed perhaps in a restaurant by an appetizer of herring (prepared in either cream, oil, or vinegar). Other popular appetisers are various cured meats, vegetables or fish in aspic.

Polish food – The main course

The main course is usually meaty including a roast or kotlet schabowy (breaded pork cutlet). Vegetables, currently replaced by leaf salad, were not very long ago most commonly served as ‘surowka’ – shredded root vegetables with lemon and sugar (carrot, celeriac, beetroot) or fermented cabbage (kapusta kwaszona).

The sides are usually boiled potatoes or more traditionally kasha (cereals). Meals often conclude with a dessert such as makowiec (poppy seed cake), or drozdzowka, a type of yeast cake.

Other Polish food specialities include chlodnik (a chilled beet or fruit soup for hot days), golonka (pork knuckles cooked with vegetables), kolduny (meat dumplings), zrazy (stuffed slices of beef), salceson and flaczki (tripe).

Polish Soups

Chłodnik litewski: cold yoghurt-and-beetroot soup served with a hardboiled egg, originally from Lithuania.
Barszcz biały: sour thick wheat starch soup with marjoram, potatoes, sometimes with cream.
Barszcz czerwony: refreshing beetroot soup with vegetables and sour cream or served clear with dumplings.
Żurek: sour rye soup with potato, sausage or an egg, sometimes served in a bread loaf.
Krupnik: barley soup with a smattering of vegetables and smoked meat.
Kapuśniak: sour cabbage soup.
Zupa ogórkowa: hot sour cucumber soup.
Zupa koperkowa: dill soup.
Rosół z kurczaka: golden chicken consommé with noodles.
Zupa pomidorowa: tomato soup, often with rice or noodles.
Grochówka: thick pea soup.
Zupa grzybowa: mushroom soup with cream.
Flaki wołowe: beef tripe soup.

Hors d’Oeuvres

Smalec: partially double fried lard with onion, marjoram and sometimes with apple or prune. It is spread over bread and served together with pickled cucumbers as an appetizer before the main meal.
Śledzie w śmietanie: herring in sour cream, usually with onion.
Boczek ze śliwką: bacon stuffed with prunes.
Tatar: steak tartar; raw minced beef with chopped onion and raw yolk.

Main Courses in Poland

Eskalopki z cielęciny: veal in a blanket.
Polędwiczki wołowe: beef sirloin, often with rare mushroom sauce.
Ozór wołowy: soft steamed beef tongues.
Sztuka mięsa w sosie chrzanowym: boiled chunk of beef in horseradish sauce.
Zrazy zawijane: beef rolls stuffed with bacon, gherkin and onion or red pepper, in a spicy sauce.
Golonka w piwie: fat, but tasty pork knuckle, sometimes in beer sauce, always with horseradish; very traditional, originally from Bavaria.
Karkówka: tenderloin, usually roasted
Kotlet schabowy: traditional breaded pork cutlet (a tasty choice if you do not want any risk).
Kiełbasa: Polish sausages – white sausages are especially very tasty. They go well with pickled cucumbers (gherkins) in combination with beer or vodka and fresh air.
Żeberka w miodzie: spare pork ribs in honey.
Kaczka z jabłkami: baked duck in apple.
Kurczak de volaille: chicken steaks spread with butter, filled with mushrooms and bread crumbed, originally French.
Wątróbki drobiowe: chicken liver.
Baranina: roasted or even grilled lamb – great, especially in the mountains.
Klopsiki: meatloaf, often with tomato sauce.
Bigos: appetizing, seasoned “hunter” stew made from sauerkraut with chunks of various meats and sausages, extremely traditional.
Dziczyzna: game.
Fasolka po bretońsku: cheap bean and sausage stew.
Gołąbki: cabbage parcels originally from Lithuania, they are stuffed with meat or meat and rice.
Kaszanka: grilled or baked solid pieces of buckwheat blended with pork blood and shaped as sausages.
Szaszłyk: originally Caucasian dish; chunks of meat grilled on a spit.
Karp po żydowsku: carp in aspic with raisins, originally Jewish.
Łosoś: salmon, often baked or boiled in a dill sauce.
Pstrąg: trout, sometimes flambé.
Sandacz: pike perch.
Pierogi: very traditional small white dumplings, larger than ravioli, filled with sauerkraut with mushrooms, cheese and potatoes or with fruit. They can be also with meat (z mięsem).
Naleśniki: omelettes stuffed with jam, fruit, cottage cheese etc. and very similar to crepes.
Knedle: potato dumplings stuffed with fruit, usually plums.
Frytki: chips.
Kopytka: hoof-shaped dumplings.
Kluski śląskie: Silesian dumplings, made from boiled potatoes.
Kasza gryczana: buckwheat groats.
Placki ziemniaczane: potato pancakes.

Deserts in Poland

Faworki: pastry twisters.
Galaretka: very sweet jellies.
Makowiec: sweet poppy cake.
Pączki: doughnuts.
Sernik: delicious fat cheese cake.
Szarlotka: cake with apples, sometimes served with whipped cream.

In conclusion, Polish cuisine is a rich and varied culinary tradition that reflects the country’s history and culture. From comforting dumplings and stews to sweet pastries and hearty meat dishes, Polish food has something for everyone. So next time you’re looking for a new culinary adventure, consider trying some traditional Polish dishes – you won’t be disappointed!

For further information about Poland including detailed tourist information, please visit our travel partner, the Poland Travel Agency.

 


Polish culture

Polish culture – Rich, diverse & steeped in history

Polish culture is rich, diverse and steeped in history. It is a fusion of various traditions, customs, and religions, with influences from neighbouring countries, including Germany, Russia, Ukraine, and the Czech Republic. Poland is located in Central Europe and is the sixth most populous member of the European Union.

Polish culture is closely connected with its intricate 1000-year history & Kraków is considered by many to be the cultural capital of Poland. On this page, we provide a very brief introduction to Polish culture so that you can better understand the locals.

Language and Literature

The official language of Poland is Polish, which is a West Slavic language. The Polish language has a rich literary tradition, and Polish literature has produced many world-renowned writers such as Wisława Szymborska, Henryk Sienkiewicz, Czesław Miłosz, and Adam Mickiewicz. Poetry, in particular, is an essential part of the Polish literary tradition. The works of Mickiewicz and Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński have inspired generations of poets, and their legacy continues to influence contemporary poets. Kraków has some of the best museums in the country and several famous theatres. It became the residence of two Polish Nobel laureates in literature: Wisława Szymborska and Czesław Miłosz, while a third Nobel laureate, the Yugoslav writer Ivo Andric also lived and studied there. It is also a home to one of the world’s oldest universities, the Jagiellonian University of Kraków.

Polish culture

Music and Dance

Poland has a rich musical heritage, and traditional music is an integral part of Polish culture. Folk music is diverse and includes a wide range of instruments, such as the accordion, fiddle, and dulcimer. Polish folk dance is also an important aspect of Polish culture, with the most popular being the polonaise, mazurka, and krakowiak. These dances are often performed in colourful regional costumes and are an important part of traditional festivals and celebrations.

The music of Poland has a long history and is inextricably linked with Polish culture. Fryderyk Chopin, inspired by Polish tradition and folklore, conveys the quintessence of Romanticism. Since 1927, the International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition has been held every five years in Warsaw.

Polish classical music is also represented by composers like Karol Szymanowski, Mieczyslaw Karlowicz, Witold Lutoslawski, Wojciech Kilar, Henryk Mikolaj Gorecki, and Krzysztof Penderecki – all of whom rank among the world’s most celebrated composers.

Contemporary Polish jazz with its special national flavour has fans and followers in many countries.

Artists from Poland, including famous composers like Chopin or Penderecki and traditional, regionalised folk musicians, create a lively and diverse music scene, which even recognises its own music genres, such as poezja śpiewana (sung poetry) and disco polo.

Poland is one of the few countries in Europe where rock and hip hop dominate over pop music, while all kinds of alternative music genres are encouraged.

Poland has always been a very open country to new music genres and even before the fall of communism, music styles like rock, metal, jazz, electronic, and New Wave were well-known. Since 1989, the Polish scene has exploded with new talents and a more diverse style.

Poland has a very active underground extreme metal music scene. Some of the bands that have heralded and helped the cause are Behemoth, Vader, Yattering, Decapitated, Indukti, Hate, and Lux Occulta. This has paved ground for a large underground movement.

Art and Architecture

Polish art and architecture are known for their rich history and distinct style. Poland has many beautiful cities, and the architecture is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau styles. The city of Krakow is home to many well-preserved examples of Gothic architecture, including the famous Wawel Castle. Warsaw, the capital city, was almost entirely destroyed during World War II but has been rebuilt with much care and attention, including the reconstruction of the Old Town. Polish art is also highly regarded, with famous artists such as Stanisław Wyspiański and Józef Chełmoński contributing to the country’s artistic legacy.

Cuisine

Polish cuisine is hearty, flavorful, and often includes meat and potatoes. Traditional dishes include pierogi, which are dumplings filled with cheese, potatoes, or meat, and bigos, a stew made with sauerkraut, meat, and spices. Poland is also known for its bread, with many varieties available, including the traditional obwarzanek and the sweet brioche-like babka. In recent years, Polish cuisine has gained more international recognition, and restaurants serving modern takes on traditional dishes can be found in major cities around the world.

Religion and Festivals

Poland is predominantly Catholic, and the Catholic Church has played a significant role in shaping the country’s history and culture. The most important religious holiday is Easter, with many traditions and customs associated with the holiday, including the blessing of Easter baskets and the making of Easter eggs. Other important festivals include All Saints’ Day, which is a day of remembrance for the dead, and St. John’s Eve, which celebrates the summer solstice with bonfires and traditional rituals.

Older Polish people are strongly religious while younger thirty-somethings tend to be medium religious (attending church on major catholic holidays) or not at all religious. The so-called ‘Generation JP2’ (JP2 is short for John Paul II), people between the age of 16 and roughly 25, tend to establish a neo-conservative look on religion in Poland, just like Americans did in the ’80.

The vast majority of youngsters remain officially catholic and occasionally go to church, but in fact do not give much attention to religion. During Easter, the churches have a lot of ceremonies and are very well visited by the locals. Saturday evening is for candlelight ceremonies outside the churches.

The Black Madonna of Częstochowa is a holy icon of the Virgin Mary, that is both Poland’s holiest relic and one of the country’s national symbols.

Because of the Black Madonna, Częstochowa is regarded as the most popular shrine in Poland, with many Polish Catholics making a pilgrimage there every year. Often, people will line up on the side of the road to hand provisions to the pilgrims as those who walk the distance to Częstochowa walk the entire day and have little means to get things for themselves.

Regular stores are closed during main religious holidays (25th & 26th of December, Easter Sunday, and Monday), other holidays may mean shorter working hours.

Etiquette

Some men, particularly older men, may kiss a woman’s hand when greeting or saying goodbye. Kissing a woman’s hand is considered to be chivalrous, but you will not go wrong shaking hands. For a more heartfelt greeting or goodbye, close friends of either sex will kiss three times, alternating cheeks.

A fairly common practice is for people to greet each other with a dzień dobry (good day) when entering elevators, or at the very least, saying do widzenia (goodbye) when exiting the elevator. It is usual to bring a gift when invited to someone’s home. Flowers are always a good choice. Florists’ kiosks are ubiquitous; be sure to get an odd number of flowers, as an even number is associated with funerals.

It is customary to hold doors and chairs for women. Poles are generally old-fashioned about gender etiquette. Men should not wear hats indoors, in particular when entering a church. Most restaurants, museums, and other public buildings have a cloakroom, and people are expected to leave bags and outerwear there.

It is advisable to refer to Poland (as well as to some other countries like Czech Republic, Slovakia, or Hungary) as Central Europe, and not Eastern Europe. Although not very offensive, if used, it may reflect foreigners’ ignorance and certain disrespect on the history and clearly Latin cultural heritage of the countries from the region. Poles themselves refer to the “old” EU west of its borders as “Zachód” (West) and to the states created after the break-up of the USSR as “Wschód” (East). Geographically this is borne out by drawing a line from the tip of Norway to Greece and from the Urals to the coast of Portugal. For better or worse, Poland remains at the cross-roads of Europe, right in the continent’s center.

In conclusion, Polish culture is a rich tapestry of traditions, customs, and influences from neighboring countries. From literature to music, art, and cuisine, Poland has much to offer, and its cultural heritage is celebrated and cherished by people all around the world.

 


Reasons to have dental treatment in Poland

Dental tourism Poland

If you’re considering dental treatment but are put off by the high costs in your home country, you might want to consider exploring the option of dental tourism. Poland has become a popular destination for dental treatment, offering high-quality care, often with lower prices than many other countries. In addition to saving money, there are several other compelling reasons to consider dental treatment in Poland. From highly qualified and experienced dentists to state-of-the-art technology and a wide range of dental procedures, this page will explore the top reasons why Poland is a great choice for your dental care needs.

Reasons to have dental treatment in Poland

  1. Safe, Professional & Modern

    Poland provides a wide and full range of safe and professional dental treatments. Many of the dental clinics are modern and equipped with the latest high tech including Digital X-ray Diagnostics, Panoramic Radiograph & Computed Tomography (CT).

  2. Qualified dentists

    Education of dentists in Poland is high and regulation is strict. To become a qualified dentist in Poland, students must first undergo five years of training at university. After completing their five-year course, graduates begin a 12-month work experience program. During this time, they are only able to perform treatments under supervision. Following this, they must pass another exam in order to become fully qualified. Many dentists undertake dental specialties training after their qualification.

  3. English speaking

    Many dentists in Poland speak English fluently particularly in the main cities; so there will be no communication barriers. In addition, many dental clinics have high tech equipment which allows them to effectively communicate treatment to their patients via visualisation.

  4. Prices

    The cost of treatment will vary depending on the type of procedure and the clinic you choose. As an example, a single implant with a porcelain veneer in London can cost as much as £4,000. For those requiring extensive dental work, the final bill can run into tens of thousands of pounds. Fortunately, dental treatment in Poland is often more affordable – a single implant with a porcelain veneer costing around £1,100, and other treatments up to 50% less. See Price comparisons.

  5. Travel time

    Poland is easy to get to from the UK, there are many convenient flight connections and many budget airlines. Flight times average just 2.5 hours from the UK. International airlines fly mainly into Warsaw (WAW), the country’s largest gateway. Other major airports offering passenger service include Warsaw-Modlin, Kraków, Katowice, Gdańsk, Poznań, Wrocław, Szczecin, Rzeszów, Bydgoszcz, Łódź, Lublin, Olsztyn and Zielona Góra.

  6. Poland is an amazing place

    Poland is a very popular tourist destination, particularly the main cities of Warsaw, Krakow & Gdansk where many of our recommended dental surgeries are located. However, there is much more to Poland than just the amazing cities. From Poland’s lake district Masuria with over 2,000 lakes to true wilderness areas like The Bialowieza Forest to the stunning Tatra Mountains – you will find that Poland has something to offer every visitor.

  7. Culture, food & drink

    Polish culture is closely connected with its intricate 1000-year history and it is fascinating. The food is delicious, and the beers and vodkas are wonderful and the icing on the cake – everything is much cheaper than in the UK.

For information about tourist areas and attractions in Poland, please visit our travel partner, Poland Travel Agency.

 


Christmas in Warsaw

How Christmas should be

A good time to consider having your dental treatment in Warsaw is over the festive period. Christmas in Warsaw is very special, and you will find an abundance of Christmas fairs or markets. You will also find that the dental clinics are less busy at this time of the year.

Christmas fairs & markets

Starting in December you’ll find impromptu markets setting up on the plac Defilad, in front of the Palace of Culture and Science and the plac Zamkowy, by the castle.

These fairs and markets are definitely worth a visit and will make you feel like a child on Christmas Eve again! The best time to come to Warsaw if you want to enjoy the Christmas markets is in the second or third weekend of December.

Old Town Christmas Market

The much beloved Christmas Market returns to Warsaw’s Old Town starting at the end of November. The Market Square is filled with wooden stalls selling handicrafts (Christmas ornaments, amber jewellery, ceramics, carved wood decorations, and more), traditional food, mulled wine, and hot beer. A simple, but essential Warsaw winter pleasure!

The Christmas Street lighting in Warsaw around the Old Town and along the Royal Route is just beautiful!

Warsaw is an excellent location to visit during Christmas and just perfect for picking up that original and unique Christmas present at a good price too! The best time to come to Warsaw for Christmas shopping is the last two weeks in November. Unlike the UK, this is when the shopping malls first get decorated for Christmas and you will enjoy the Christmas ambiance without the mad crowds during this time.

Polish Christmas

Christmas in Poland is taken very seriously and is mainly focused on family and friends. During Advent, families get busy baking Christmas piernik (gingerbread) and start making (yes making!) their Christmas decorations. Gingerbread is made in a variety of shapes including hearts, animals and St. Nicholas figures (St. Nick is the Polish version of Santa).

Traditional decorations include the pajaki, which are handmade stars and decorated eggshells.

Lit Christmas trees are placed in most public areas, outside churches and in homes. Traditionally the trees are decorated with shiny apples, walnuts, wrapped chocolate shapes, hand blown glass baubles, and many homemade ornaments and candles. On the top of the tree is a star or a glittering top piece. In many homes, sparklers are hung on the branches of the trees for ambiance.

Christmas in Warsaw

Gwiazdory

During Advent the “Gwiazdory,” or star carriers, wander through the towns and villages and this continues until Epiphany. Some of the Gwiazdory sing carols; others recite verses or put on “Szopki” (puppet shows), or “herody” (nativity scenes). The last two customs are developments from traditional manger scenes or “Jaselka” (crib).

Oplatek

One tradition unique to Poland is the sharing of the “oplatek”, a thin wafer into which is pressed a holy picture. People once carried these oplatki from house to house wishing their neighbors a Merry Christmas. Nowadays, the bread is mostly shared with members of the family and immediate neighbors.

As each person shares pieces of the wafer with another person, they are supposed to forgive any hurts that have occurred over the past year and to wish the other person all the happiness in the coming year.

Christmas Eve in Poland

In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. The feast begins with the appearance of the first star; there is no meat in the feast, and it is followed by the exchange of gifts. The following day is often spent visiting friends. In Polish tradition, people combine religion and family closeness at Christmas time.

Although gift giving plays a major role in the rituals, emphasis is placed more on making special foods and decorations. On Christmas Eve, so important is the first star of the night that it has been given the affectionate name of “little star” or Gwiazdka, in remembrance of the Star of Bethlehem. On that night, all watch the sky anxiously, hoping to be the first to cry out, “The star!” The moment the star appears, people start eating.

Wigilia

Families unite for the most carefully planned meal of the year, Wigilia, the Christmas supper. The Wigilia derives its name from the Latin word vigilare, which means “to watch” or keep vigil. According to tradition, bits of hay are spread beneath the tablecloth as a reminder that Christ was born in a manger. An even number of people must be seated around the table or, tradition states, someone may die in the coming year. Wigilia is a family feast. In some places an empty place setting is symbolically left at the table for the Baby Jesus or for a wanderer who may be in need, or if a deceased relative should come and would like to share in the meal.

The meal begins with the breaking of the oplatek. Everyone at the table breaks off a piece and eats it as a symbol of their unity with Christ. They then share a piece with each family member giving good wishes for the following year. There should be twelve dishes, as a symbol of the Twelve Apostles, or an odd number of dishes for good luck (usually five, seven, or nine). Poppy seed cake, beet soup, prune dumplings, carp, herring and noodles with poppy seed are universal Polish Christmas foods.

Traditionally, there is no meat eaten on Christmas Eve. Often there is compote of dry fruits. The remainder of the evening is given to stories and songs around the Christmas tree. In some areas of the country, children are taught that “The Little Star” brings the gifts. As presents are wrapped, carollers may walk from house to house, receiving treats along the way.

For detailed tourist information about Warsaw and the rest of Poland, please visit our travel partner, the Poland Travel Agency.

Christmas Tours & Experiences