Episode 92

Dobar dan, prijatelji!

Do you have time to learn a new verb with us?

Hopefully yes, because in this episode, we’ll learn the verb “to have”.

It’s an important verb to know, so let’s have fun learning it!

Lesson - To Have

to have - imati

to not have - nemati

i have/don’t have - imam/nemam

you (informal) - imaš/nemaš

you (formal) - imate/nemate

do (auxiliary verb) - li

Super Slatko Report

In this special edition of the Super Slatko Report, DJ Moe will tell us more about the alcohol common throughout the Balkan region called “rakija”. What can rakija be made with? What parts of Croatian specialize in certain types? Stick around and find out!

Did you know that there are a few different varieties out there? Let’s take a sip and see where this Super Slatko takes us.

Rakija is usually used as a general term for all the brandy, but there are different types Rakija and uses. For this Super Slatko, the Rakija that I will be speaking to will be referring to the type you consume.

The general definition of Rakija is a Brandy, or Fruit Brandy, distilled from fruits and/or herbs.

It’s usually in the 40% alcohol by volume range, which is strong when you consider that traditionally, it’s mostly being sipped neat, without a mixer or ice.

In some restaurants, this is the first thing you are served, thin shot glasses are filled and passed out even before they take your drink order.

So what types of Rakija’s are out there? 

The first one I’m going to cover is the one that I came across most often in my travels,

Travarica - known as the Herbal Brandy

This version is pretty common and mostly consists of herbs that you have around, and once its ready to be bottled, those same herbs are re-added for decoration.

It makes for a very pretty clear, herb bottle and table setting.

I was told its common to use 7 herbs, with the flavor ending with a complex herbal licorice type flavor, warming every part of your throat and stomach once ingested.

This is one is commonly used for medicinal use as well, both topically and internally.

The next version is Šlijvovica, this one comes from fermenting plums, sometimes even in Oak barrels.

Šlijvovica is actually one that is mostly served in frosted shot glasses. 

Many countries make their own version so its common to find this one around the Balkans.

Haven’t had this one personally but from what I found, the Plum aroma gives you a false sense of security.

On the nose this amber liquid hits you with light sweet plum notes, then once consumed brings forward the alcohol heat to wake you up.

If fermented in Oak Barrels, the color will be a little deeper, rounder flavors, even some earth notes.

The third Rakija varietal I will cover is, Kruškovac.

Kruškovac, comes from Kruška, Pears!

This one is crowd pleaser, if you think it will be sweet because of the pears, you’re right!

The flavor of this one is as advertised and popular with the younger crowds, commonly served at weddings.

This one tastes like mild tree ripened pears.

The color is usually golden and clear, and there are more than a few major manufacturers out there producing and shipping worldwide.

Kruškovac has also taken off in the Craft Cocktail world as a cool addition in drink creations. 

The next type is Orahovac, Walnut Brandy.

You may remember back in our Christmas Desert Super Slatko, Episode #36, I talked about Orehnjaca, which is a Walnut cake.

Can you imagine washing that down with a little Orahovac, Walnut overload, nay, sign me up!

I tasted this one on my last visit and thought it was pretty good, nutty and sweet. I read online that sometimes you can even get a caramel flavor as well. Sounds too good, very tasty.

This one is also mass produced, but the bottle I tried looked more home brew than anything else.

I will be trying this one again for sure. 

And the fifth and final Rakija I came across is….

Lozovača, grape brandy.

This one primarily made with fermented Moscato Grapes but also mixed grapes with good acidity.

One of our favorite restaurants in the village puts this out as soon as you get seated, they call is Loza…

I don’t recall the flavor so much as the warming sensation I got from it, so I had to look up tasting notes, mild grape aromas and sun-dried raisins on the nose, but you tend to feel all of the avg. 37.5% abv on the way down. The look is crystal clear and reminds people of grappa, if you’ve seen that before.

If you’re old enough and if any of this was of interest to you, please check these out responsibly and tell us all about it. I’m sure you’ll have a cool story to share, we’re all ears!

And that it for the Super Slatko Report.