Blocked Nose and Sinuses? - Rakia Can Solve That Too

It was a very ill couple in bed with blocked up noses and sinuses knowing that work the next day would be a struggle. In Bulgaria the answer to most illnesses is rakia which we both drunk earlier that evening. It put us in a sleepy mood, but our clogged up system was the main hurdle for getting a good night of sleep.

So it was another remedy rakia based that was suggested to unclog us.Rakia is used for so many things and yet another twist was revealed which simply involved cotton wool dipped in rakia and stuffed up your nose for half an hour.

It was such a funny sight with us in bed watching television with rakia infused cotton wool (called tampons in Bulgarian) tightly stuffed up our nostrils.The feeling was quite strange as the alcohol fumes gradually worked it way to our sinuses clearing the way as it went. After 30 minutes we removed the aid and literally breathed a sigh of relief as we turned the television off and settled in for sleep.

The following morning we were both feeling slightly better as we set off to work. Our noses were clear and our flu symptoms had subsided My thoughts on all these rakia cures that actually work are directed to commercial use of an alternative medicine. Perhaps someone might come up with a consumer goods design involving rakia as a healing product; So far it is only used at home although prescribed by many Bulgarian doctors. There is scientific evidence that backs it up so why not? Is there an entrepreneur who can design rakia product for a market that love alternative medicine? 

For me as a foreigner here in Bulgaria and a big sceptic, it has never failed to amaze how this rakia product work wonders for ailments. Trying it for myself time and time again got rid of my scepticism and this is another success story found out first hand.

Rakia Pricing Wrong

I found this advert aim for skiing tourist this winter which has finally arrived in Bulagria. I am amazed at the prices they charge for rakia in their tavern. Yambolski Grape rakia is only 7-8 leva a litre yet they charge 6 leva for only 50 ml!!! On the other side of the coin is the price of Bourgas 63. a more esteemed rakia is only 2 leva per 50 ml. Either the have the prices wrong for a reason or they know nothing about the qualities and equivalent prices for rakia.

The “Banski Aiduti” tavern is located in the central part of the town of Bansko. Since it was opened, the tavern has become one of the most popular places in the town. It disposes of 150 seats. The tavern is furnished in the typical for the region of Bansko old-fashioned style. The ventilation system enables you to feel cozily and comfortably during your stay here. You can enjoy the delicious grilled dishes, prepared in accordance to old Bulgarian recipes. The meals of the master-chef, combined with selected wines and seasoned brandy, will gratify even the most discriminating taste of clients. For the total satisfaction of the visitors, the “Banski Aiduti” tavern offers an unique folklore program. The tavern accepts reservations for family occasions.

EXTACTS FROM THE MENU

SPECIAL BRANDY

Kehlibar – 50 ml – 2.00 BGN

Bourgas 63 – 50 ml – 2.00 BGN

Yambolski Muscat – 50 ml – 6.00 BGN

Suhindolska special – 50 ml – 6.00 BGN

12 years old Slivenska perla – 50 ml – 6.00 BGN

Troyanska plum brandy – special selection – 50 ml – 4.00 BGN

Peshterska selection – 50 ml – 4.00 BGN

Illegal Rakia Exports Caught With Thanks From Russian President

I find it hard to believe that vodka is illegally produced and exported to Russia, after all Russian produce the best vodka why import inferior stuff? Rakia illegally made and exported has more reason and this was included in the find. I have a sneaking suspicion that all politicians involved has sampled illegal spirits at some point away from their work.

Russian Prime Minister has thanked the Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Foods over the over operation against illegal export of Stolichnaya vodka from Bulgaria. This is what was noted at a meeting between Minister Naydenov and the adviser of the Moscow mayor and Yury Luzhkov former Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Anatoli Potanov, who was given official letter of grateful acknowledgement and a present, the Ministry’s press office announced.

“The government is working to stop the illegal production of alcohol,” Minister Naydenov said.

He added the check ups will continue.

“We thank for the conducted operation and support. I am convinced together we will stop smuggling,” Anatoli Potanov said.

On January 12, 14 500 bottles of vodka, gin, brandy and rakya as well as 35 000 empty cans for Stolichnaya vodka have been found in vault Bahkus 4 in the town of Kaspichan during a check up.

Source: http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?id=n207466 

A Bulgarian Rakia Still and Kazan Manufacturer

If you fancy having a go at making your own rakia at home it is useful to know where you can get the tools for the trade, namely the stills and the kazans. There is a company call Kazanarakia that produces just these made to your specification. The company is Bulgarian and their website is in Bulgaria, but then that is expected.

I have clipped and translated the main bits of the home page, there are other pages that have a variety of sizes and specifications and a few other pages still under construction. I think the company has been around a while, but they have only recently gone online.

Welcome to the world of wrought copper!

We produce and offer wide range of copper stills with a different design and size to meet the individual needs of our customers' tastes. Kazanite intended for the manufacture of beverages pirtni marc and essential oils which are obtained by distillation of the flowers and spread.

Whether you are looking for residential purposes stills or to provide services in settlements, we are confident that you will receive a quality product.

Source: http://www.kazanizarakia.com/

Commericial Rakia Sales Are Down Due To Homemade Rakia

This was a recent report after last autumn's grape harvest had been gathered and assessed. what is basically says is that more rakia is being made at home in the thousands of villages up and down the country and because of this the duty should not be raised as firstly it wouldn't be paid and collected and secondly that it would increase an underground market and further damage the commercial sales of rakia. It was also noted that Botev makes a passing remark that home made rakia is inferior to the commercial brands. I thing this passing statement was of course of political design.

The shrinking of the rakia (Bulgarian type of brandy) market was an expected process, said Branimir Botev, chairperson of the Association of Producers, Importers and Traders of Spirit Drinks (APITSD).

In his words, the association has foreseen the shrinking of the rakia market as only a small part of the grapes has been sold out.

“Some great part of around 80% went into the distillers in the villages. It is natural that at the moment there is some over-production of home-made rakia, which is out of control and no excise duty is paid on it, as it is outside the authorities of the customs”, Botev remarked.

He added that because of this tendency, the association has required the excise duty on rakia not to be hikes, “as this will put legal producers in even more unfavorable situation, bearing in mind they are now under some stepped up control and pour their excise and VAT in the state budget”.

On the other hand, this will open the scissors between black market, where some cheap substitute is sold at BGN 1.50 – 2/liter of broach rakia, and the legal industrial producers.

Source: www.focus-fen.net

Bulgarian Gypsy New Year Celebrate With Rakia

We won't get any sleep tonight as we live next to a massive Gypsy community and many litres of home made rakia to help the New Yea celebrations on their way. Loud Gypsy music to accompany, all around Bulgaria will be party time. Bulgarians have had their fill of rakia and New Year two weeks ago and I'm sure many will never the less join in as rakia and partying is a favourite pastime for all in Bulgaria!

All Roma groups in Bulgaria celebrate Thursday the Roma New Year also known as Vassilitsa, the Day of Vassil (Basil) or Bango Vassili (the Lame Basil).

The celebrations have their origins in several Roma legends. In one of them Bango Vassili is a guardian and defender of the Roma and rebuilds the bridge used by them after it has been destroyed by the Devil. In others, he is a lame shepherd rescuing a drowning Roma child or giving shelter to a Roma trying to escape his enemies.

Another legend tells that St. Basil had saved all Roma from drowning in a stormy sea by sending them a flock of geese. The Roma climbed on them and were able to reach a safe shore. Since then they honor their Savior on January 14 and call the holiday Vassilitsa.

Bango Vassili is a family celebration and poultry on the table is a must. It also includes stuffed cabbages, bread, wine and home made brandy known as rakia. In all Roma groups the dinner on the eve of January 14 is of prime importance and includes rich symbolic. The meal is blessed and all are given forgiveness by kissing the hand of the person they might have offended.

All houses where Bango Vassili is celebrated are to remain locked until midnight on January 13 to prevent luck from escaping . Only after the arrival of the New Year and the Day of St. Basil, the Roma begin accepting guests, hoping the first visitor to be a good person, who will bring them luck.

Source: http://www.novinite.com

A Rakia Song GSM Ring tone Download

Rakia is becoming more widely known now Bulgaria is in the EU. This leads to many spin off products being invented and marketed. I came across one today that does exactly this. It is a ring tone that can be downloaded to your mobile phone or GSM as it is known in Bulgaria. The ring tone is the song called ‘100 litres Rakia’ and well known in Bulgaria.

So if you want to be reminded of rakia and impress your drinking partners when your GSM rings then this is the place to go to get it downloaded.

The Zledge Net

An Expatriate's Account Of Rakia

I found this very entertaining, informative article written by an Expatriate who gave and account of his experience of Rakia. there is some good advice given about learning a little Bulgarian to save time and money, very true! Enjoy the article and visit the website if you get the chance, there is more of the same good stuff there.

Scotland has single malt whiskey, Russia has vodka and Bulgaria has Rakia, a delicious fruit brandy. Although its not very well known in western Europe, Rakia is not a drink exclusive to Bulgaria but can be found in most of the Balkan countries. I had an excellent one in Serbia for example.

Rakia (or Rakija) is made from distilled fruit and in Bulgaria its usually made from plums or

apricots. There is the commercial version (the picture above is the one we are enjoying as I write this) and then there is the home made stuff… Both have their merits.

The commercial Rakia is very drinkable but don’t make the mistake I made and get the cheapest one. In the same way that you can buy Tesco own brand whiskey or Glenmorangie aged 15 years, there are different qualities of Rakia. I bought the cheapest one because I’m a cheapskate but then started buying bottles to actually enjoy. You can tell a good Rakia from a bad one fairly quickly and like Bulgarian Beer, if you get a bottle with English on it you are likely to pay more than if its only in Bulgarian ie; made for the Bulgarian market. Its worth trying to learn some basic Cyrillic alphabet skills (Bulgarian alphabet) as you’ll recognise similar words that way and save yourself time and money. Everything is phonetic and it’s not as hard as you might think. Learning your full name spelt in Cyrillic is a good way to start as you’ll probably learn 15 letters and then you’re half way there.

The strength of Rakia is usually 40% in the shops but the home made stuff is usually stronger (up to about 65% we’re told) and it tastes it! Most towns will have a distillery with huge copper vats heated by wood that the locals use when the fruit is in season. The guys that distil this stuff know what they are doing as the knowledge has been passed from one generation to the next. If they had an “off day” and made methanol instead of ethanol they would poison half the town and baring in mind the fact that gun ownership is legal here, they need to get it right every time. You know the distilleries are there from the mountain of apricot and plum seeds near the building. Chances are there might also be the village drunk hanging around asking people coming to collect their brew if he can have a bit. Can’t blame him, it’s good stuff.

Obviously, enjoy in moderation and good company. Bottoms up!

Source: http://www.expatliving.eu

Herb Based Mulled Rakia Toddy - A Yambol Secret Unveiled

Hot off the press is another mulled rakia drink with a difference. This has added natural ingredients that enhance the world best warming drink in the world. It was obtained from a village man who lives 15 kilometres north of Yambol called Doncho. He is 82 years old and drinks it every winter to keep the cold out. He gave me rough measurements and I rounded them up and down to create his concoction.

The secret is out and given here for you folks:

HERB BASE MULLED RAKIA TODDY
Ingredients:

500 ml rakia
300 ml sugar
1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons of fresh very finely chopped geranium leaves
3 pinches of ground cinnamon
Method:

Heat the sugar on a low heat and add a little water stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved and a light brown colour. Then add the rakia, black pepper, geranium leaves and the cinnamon whilst still stirring until the sugar that is caramelised melts.

Serving Tips:

Mulled rakia toddy served in strong whisky glasses or goblets goes best with traditional Bulgarian cuisine such as pickles, barbecued peppers or sliced salami and usually a warmer served before any main course.