Slivovitz

Slivovitz is a special kind of fruit spirit made from damson plums. It is often called plum spirit or plum brandy. Many people in Central and Southeastern Europe enjoy it. It can be made in factories or at home.

Slivovitz is popular in many countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. In the Balkans, it is a type of rakia. In Hungary, it is a kind of pálinka. In Romania and Moldova, it is called pălincă or țuică. In the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Galicia, and Carpathian-Ruthenia, it is known as pálenka.

In 2022, UNESCO added Slivovitz to its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, showing its important cultural value.

Etymology

The word slivovitz comes from an old Slavic word for "plum." Different languages have their own versions of this word. These words often end with a small suffix that means "spirit" or "brandy." There are many other names for this type of plum spirit used around the world.

Production and consumption

Slivovitz is made in many countries, including Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia.

Different countries have their own names for slivovitz. For example, in Bulgaria it is called сливова, in the Czech Republic it is slivovice, and in Hungary it is sligovica. Similar drinks are also made in other places like Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States.

To make slivovitz, only Damson plums are used. The plums might be pressed a little to help them ferment faster, but their pits must not be damaged. Yeast, starch, and sugar can be added. The mixture is left to ferment and then distilled one or more times. Aging the drink can improve its flavor.

Some slivovitz is made in ways that make it suitable for special occasions. Others use modern methods to avoid bitter tastes. Sometimes, slivovitz is imitation, made by flavoring spirits with prune juice and special oils.

History, by country

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, monks at the Troyan Monastery have made a special plum spirit since the 1300s. This spirit includes 40 different herbs. In 1894, it won a bronze medal in Antwerp. It uses a special type of plum that only grows in the Troyan region. Famous people like Pope John Paul II and Bill Clinton have tried this spirit.

Czech Republic and Slovakia

In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, plum spirit is important in their traditions and culture. It appears in songs, TV shows, and movies. Most of it is made in southern and eastern Moravia and in Vysočina. Many people now use certified local distilleries to make it better.

Poland

Southern Poland has a long history of making plum spirit, especially in the mountains. Local people have made it for years. One well-known type is from the town of Łącko. Before the Second World War, the Jewish community in Poland also made this spirit for the Passover holiday.

Serbia

In Serbia, plum spirit is the national drink, and the plum is the national fruit. Plums and plum products are important in Serbian customs and meals. This spirit is used at important events like births, weddings, and religious celebrations. The region of Šumadija is famous for its plums and plum spirit. Serbia is one of the world's top producers of plums.

Bosnia, Croatia and Slovenia

In Slovenia, plum spirit is called slivovka.