Slovenian delights

Slovenia’s culinary indulgences

Discover the treasures of nature our ancestors learned to enjoy long ago.

The gifts of nature, which we could also call delicacies, vices or treats, have been humanity’s go-to indulgences since time immemorial. Despite the proverbial health and active lifestyle of Slovenians, we also know how to enjoy ourselves. That is why we love to indulge in a treat or two. Be it a shot-glass of invigorating Karst juniper brandy, “kremšnita” – a delicious yellow and white Bled cream cake, some crackling bread, a piece of chocolate with fleur de sel from the Piran salt pans, a refreshing cocktail, or just a cup of fragrant coffee. Mostly on holidays or at family celebrations, perhaps at a great lunch or after a busy day, and sometimes… just like that.

Our ancestors already knew that you can have too much of a good thing, so these treats and delicacies were primarily reserved for holiday occasions. And so, throughout history, as a contrast to the days with tables full of food, periods of fasting, whether or not related to religious beliefs, have been established. During those times of year, people gave up their vices, calmed their lifestyles, perhaps devoted themselves to spirituality, or secretly just couldn’t wait for the fast to be over. And after it had ended, the tables were once again full of selected meats, home-made spirits and desserts, with the famous “potica” in the forefront, of course.

These traditional delicacies still line our tables today. Either prepared the way our grandparents used to make them, or with a modern twist thought up by the younger generations, who pay special tribute to these dishes by posting pictures and videos of them on various social networks. Today, these networks are also full of other culinary delights, which we have made our own over the years.