Slivovitz

Slivovitz is a special kind of fruit spirit made from damson plums, often called plum spirit or plum brandy. It is enjoyed in many countries across Central and Southeastern Europe. People make it both in factories and at home.

Countries where Slivovitz is popular include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. In the Balkans, Slivovitz is a type of rakia. In Hungary, it is a kind of pálinka, while 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 at the request of Serbia, recognizing 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, such as švestka or slíva in Czech, śliwka in Polish, and šljiva in Serbo-Croatian. These words often end with a small suffix that means "spirit" or "brandy." For example, the Czech word for "apricot" is meruňka, and the apricot spirit is called meruňkovice. 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 kind of plum spirit called Troyan plum spirit since the 1300s. This spirit includes 40 different herbs in its recipe. In 1894, it won a bronze medal at a competition in Antwerp, Belgium. This spirit uses a special type of plum that only grows in the Troyan region. It is made in large containers and is best when the alcohol level is between 39 and 41 degrees. 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 very important in their traditions, culture, and popular culture. It appears in proverbs, songs, TV shows, and movies. Most of this spirit is made in the southern and eastern parts of Moravia and in Vysočina. While some people make it at home, many now use certified local distilleries to make it safer and better.

Poland

Southern Poland has a long history of making plum spirit, especially in the mountainous areas. Local highlanders have made it for years, often without specific brand names. One well-known type is from the town of Łącko. Before the Second World War, the Jewish community in Poland also made a lot of this spirit for the Passover holiday.

Serbia

In Serbia, plum spirit is the national drink, and the plum is the national fruit. It has special protection as a traditional product. Plums and plum products are very important in Serbian customs and meals. Traditionally, this spirit is used at important events like births, weddings, and religious celebrations. The region of Šumadija in central Serbia 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.