FOOD
A temperate Mediterranean climate, fertile soil, plenty of sunshine, and a tradition of smallhold farms provide an abundance of colour and choice in the markets of the region.
Vegetables are of high quality. Amongst the most popular vegetables is the red pepper. Every garden in the region grows red peppers. In the autumn, they are picked, roasted, skinned, pulped, and made into the best red pepper paste you can imagine.
Called "Ajvar", it is stored along with various pickled vegetables to ensure a winter diet full of vitamin C. An added delight is the decorative sight of the red peppers hung out to dry on every veranda for use in winter cooking.
Lake Ohrid boasts a unique trout found only in this lake that is a culinary delicacy. Restaurants usually specialise in fish or meat, but have both available.
Robust and very palatable red and white local wines are served from bottles or straight from the barrel in restaurants and homes.
The grape spirit, "rakija", drunk in small doses ensures good digestion and a warm heart.
Prices for all these fresh and tasty delights are quite low. So even on the most meager of budgets you can afford to eat well while enjoying the ambience of restaurants with beautiful views of the lakes, old urban architecture or listening to traditional music or dancing a local step.
A temperate Mediterranean climate, fertile soil, plenty of sunshine, and a tradition of smallhold farms provide an abundance of colour and choice in the markets of the region.
Vegetables are of high quality. Amongst the most popular vegetables is the red pepper. Every garden in the region grows red peppers. In the autumn, they are picked, roasted, skinned, pulped, and made into the best red pepper paste you can imagine.
Called "Ajvar", it is stored along with various pickled vegetables to ensure a winter diet full of vitamin C. An added delight is the decorative sight of the red peppers hung out to dry on every veranda for use in winter cooking.
Lake Ohrid boasts a unique trout found only in this lake that is a culinary delicacy. Restaurants usually specialise in fish or meat, but have both available.
Robust and very palatable red and white local wines are served from bottles or straight from the barrel in restaurants and homes.
The grape spirit, "rakija", drunk in small doses ensures good digestion and a warm heart.
Prices for all these fresh and tasty delights are quite low. So even on the most meager of budgets you can afford to eat well while enjoying the ambience of restaurants with beautiful views of the lakes, old urban architecture or listening to traditional music or dancing a local step.
CAKES & BAKES
"Ohridska Torta" - Ohrid Cake
If you were in Ohrid and you didn't try this Cake it means you have not tasted all the amenities that the city offers.
Juicy flavor karamel, nut and chocolate - gives this cake an amazing uniqueness that makes you have ordered another piece.
"Ohridska Torta" - Ohrid Cake
If you were in Ohrid and you didn't try this Cake it means you have not tasted all the amenities that the city offers.
Juicy flavor karamel, nut and chocolate - gives this cake an amazing uniqueness that makes you have ordered another piece.
"Ohridski Gevrek" - Ohrid Bagels
You must try this... Incredible unique sweet taste, prepared by prescription since 1925.
You must try this... Incredible unique sweet taste, prepared by prescription since 1925.
DRINKS
Rakija
In the Republic of Macedonia, rakija is considered the national drink, and is most commonly consumed as an apertif, usually enjoyed with meze. Containing 43–45% alcohol, it has a hot taste not unlike that of brandy and is usually made from grapes, raisins, plums or figs.
"Ohridska Rakija" with most specific taste in Ohrid is "Velgoshka" , (home made product from village near Ohrid called Velgoshti.)
Rakija
In the Republic of Macedonia, rakija is considered the national drink, and is most commonly consumed as an apertif, usually enjoyed with meze. Containing 43–45% alcohol, it has a hot taste not unlike that of brandy and is usually made from grapes, raisins, plums or figs.
"Ohridska Rakija" with most specific taste in Ohrid is "Velgoshka" , (home made product from village near Ohrid called Velgoshti.)
MACEDONIAN WINE
The Republic of Macedonia produces wine on some 22,400 hectares (55,000 acres) of vineyards, and the production was 108,100 tonnes in 2008.There are also some additional 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) of vineyards dedicated to table grapes.
The production of red wine dominates the Macedonian wine production, with around 80 per cent.
The grape varieties common in cultivation includes a large proportion of indigenous varieties and varieties common to Central Europe and the Balkans, as well as some international varieties. Red varieties include Vranec (the most common variety of Macedonia), Kratosija, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. White varieties include Smederevka, Welschriesling(usually referred to as Laški Rizling), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Žilavka.
The Republic of Macedonia produces wine on some 22,400 hectares (55,000 acres) of vineyards, and the production was 108,100 tonnes in 2008.There are also some additional 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) of vineyards dedicated to table grapes.
The production of red wine dominates the Macedonian wine production, with around 80 per cent.
The grape varieties common in cultivation includes a large proportion of indigenous varieties and varieties common to Central Europe and the Balkans, as well as some international varieties. Red varieties include Vranec (the most common variety of Macedonia), Kratosija, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. White varieties include Smederevka, Welschriesling(usually referred to as Laški Rizling), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Žilavka.
MACEDONIAN BEER
Skopsko is the most popular beer in Macedonia. It has 64% of the market in Macedonia. It was the first commercial beer, the best-known and best-selling beer brand in the country. Once a "Best of Macedonia" has become "Our Best" and "Skopsko, and everything is possible" - are it's most famous slogans.
The Skopje brewery was founded in 1922 and began operations in 1924. In 1998, it was purchased by the Hellenic Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Heineken.
Skopsko was introduced with the name "White Beer" and it presented beer liner with 10% extract. Before World War II, the name of the beer was changed to "An Export Beer from Skopje" ("Скопљанско Експортно Пиво") with increased extract of 12%. By the early 1990s the name "Skopsko" was placed in the center of the label.
Another beer from Macedonia is Zlaten dab, Krali Marko from Prilep Brewery, and Bitolsko from Bitola Brewery.
Skopsko is the most popular beer in Macedonia. It has 64% of the market in Macedonia. It was the first commercial beer, the best-known and best-selling beer brand in the country. Once a "Best of Macedonia" has become "Our Best" and "Skopsko, and everything is possible" - are it's most famous slogans.
The Skopje brewery was founded in 1922 and began operations in 1924. In 1998, it was purchased by the Hellenic Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Heineken.
Skopsko was introduced with the name "White Beer" and it presented beer liner with 10% extract. Before World War II, the name of the beer was changed to "An Export Beer from Skopje" ("Скопљанско Експортно Пиво") with increased extract of 12%. By the early 1990s the name "Skopsko" was placed in the center of the label.
Another beer from Macedonia is Zlaten dab, Krali Marko from Prilep Brewery, and Bitolsko from Bitola Brewery.
MACEDONIAN BOZA
Boza, (from Turkish: boza , is a popular fermented beverage in Macedonia. It is a malt drink, made from maize (corn).
It has a thick consistency and a low alcohol content (usually around 1%), and has a slightly acidic sweet flavor. In the Republic of Macedonia boza is thin and light, and taste sweet. The most famous boza shop in Ohrid is Korzo. Other famous boza hotspots in Skopje are "Palma" and "Malaga" Besides ethnic Albanians in Ohrid, boza-making tradition is also present among ethnic Macedonians.
Boza, (from Turkish: boza , is a popular fermented beverage in Macedonia. It is a malt drink, made from maize (corn).
It has a thick consistency and a low alcohol content (usually around 1%), and has a slightly acidic sweet flavor. In the Republic of Macedonia boza is thin and light, and taste sweet. The most famous boza shop in Ohrid is Korzo. Other famous boza hotspots in Skopje are "Palma" and "Malaga" Besides ethnic Albanians in Ohrid, boza-making tradition is also present among ethnic Macedonians.
MACEDONIAN BLACK COFFEE
Macedonia has a well-developed coffee culture, and this coffe is by far the most popular coffee beverage. With over 5,000 establishments, the traditional Macedonian coffeehouse and bar—the kafeana—is one of the most common places to go out and have a drink. However, because of the negative stereotypes surrounding the kafeana, many younger people prefer to frequent the more Italian-styled cafés which are also seen as being classier.
From the days of the Ottoman Empire through to the present, coffee has played an important role in Macedonian lifestyle and culture. The serving and consumption of coffee has had a profound effect on betrothal and gender customs, political and social interaction, prayer, and hospitality customs. Although many of the rituals are not prevalent in today's society, coffee has remained an integral part of Macedonian culture.
Other coffee beverages such as lattes, cafe mochas and cappuccinos are becoming increasingly popular with the opening of more upmarket cafés and affordability of home Espresso machines. Professionals and business people have contributed to the popularity instant coffee (especially frappé).
Macedonia has a well-developed coffee culture, and this coffe is by far the most popular coffee beverage. With over 5,000 establishments, the traditional Macedonian coffeehouse and bar—the kafeana—is one of the most common places to go out and have a drink. However, because of the negative stereotypes surrounding the kafeana, many younger people prefer to frequent the more Italian-styled cafés which are also seen as being classier.
From the days of the Ottoman Empire through to the present, coffee has played an important role in Macedonian lifestyle and culture. The serving and consumption of coffee has had a profound effect on betrothal and gender customs, political and social interaction, prayer, and hospitality customs. Although many of the rituals are not prevalent in today's society, coffee has remained an integral part of Macedonian culture.
Other coffee beverages such as lattes, cafe mochas and cappuccinos are becoming increasingly popular with the opening of more upmarket cafés and affordability of home Espresso machines. Professionals and business people have contributed to the popularity instant coffee (especially frappé).