Bulgarians Are Among Moderate Drinkers in the EU - Don't Believe it!

This was a report made giving a picture of drinking habits in Bulgaria. There has never been a more false or more distorted picture given in view of the reality of where Bulgarians get their supplies of alcohol. 

What is doesn't fully realise is that Bulgarian make their own wine and spirit and avoid buying it over the counter. Therefore the description of Bulgarian being moderate drinkers in Europe does not read true. 

Here's the statement giving the warped facts:

People in Bulgaria buy less and less alcohol, Eurostat data show. Last year, households in Bulgaria allocated an average of 1.6% of their incomes for alcoholic drinks. For comparison in 2006, Bulgarian families spent 2.1 per cent on alcohol. The biggest drop in spending on whiskey, vodka and beer, however, is in Lithuania, where for 10 years the population has cut their spending by 1%. European statistics show that annual spending on whiskey and vodka in the Member States is estimated at 130 billion euros, equivalent to 0.9% of EU GDP. This means that every year one person spends an average of 250 euros for alcohol, writes Monitor. 

 In this account, however, there is no spending on beer and alcoholic drinks in restaurants and hotels. 

Costs of home-made alcohol are also not included in the statistics. The data show that Bulgarians are in the middle of the beer and alcohol cost list. The largest share of their alcohol income is spent in Estonia, where an average of 5.6% of household money goes to alcoholic beverages. Although in the last decade alcohol costs in Lithuania and Latvia have fallen, these two countries are still among the leaders in spending on whiskey and vodka. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, 
Bulgarians consume an average of 11.4 liters of alcohol per year. According to the Organization, men in Bulgaria drink about 18 liters of alcohol per year, while women are limited to 5.3 liters. The report also shows that every Bulgarian drinks 37 grams of alcohol per day. The most popular alcoholic drinks in our country are the so-called ''rakia'' and mastika.

Taken From Novinite.com

Balkan Rakia and Spirits Fest - Sofia 2107

From December 1 to 3 2017 it is a great occasion for fans of Rakia and spirits. The fifth Balkan Rakia and Spirits Fest is to be held at the House of the Architects at 11 Krakra Street, Sofia. So be there or be square.

Last year 3000 people attended, and with that success 30 Companies that took part last year are returning for another round in 2017.

There ill be over 250 brands of rakia and spirits produced by Bulgarian rakia and other traditional alcoholic spirits from Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia and other Balkan countries.

So at 16:00 on December 1st the doors will open. There will be the official announcement at 17:00 that Bulgaria will host the world’s biggest spirits competition, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, Spirits Selection, to be held from August 21 to 23 2018 in Bulgaria’s second city Plovdiv.

The festival is open on December 1 from 4pm to 10pm, on December 2 from 2pm to 9pm and on December 3 from 2pm to 8pm. lots of time to sample and enjoy the wonderfully array of spirits the Balkans create.

Underground Rakia Making in Bulgaria

It goes without saying that homemade rakia is far better quality than mass produced factory rakia sold in shops in Bulgaria.

The homemade rakia bandwagon carries on even though there are laws which restrict the amount made for private use. It has been found that 60% of rakia made in rakia house around the country are not recorded or accounted for. It is no surprise this happens, who would want to put up with inferior rakia bought over the counter. Who would want to destroy the great culture and tradition of rakia making in a country that has practiced this without any harm to anyone bar businesses who want to make a profit for a small minority. 

There are always those who take advantage of any system like the rakia making process. I think most would agree that some monitoring should go on in this area, but not the detriment of those who make it just for personal use.

Interesting article basically backing up what has just been said.

https://www.euscoop.com/en/2017/11/27/confiscated-rakia-new-year

Yambol Grape Rakia - Yambolska Grozdova

YAMBOL GRAPE RAKIA

Yambol Grape Rakia is one of the most popular products of Vinprom Yambol and has been produced since the 1930s. 

Grape varieties to make this Rakia consist of the following:

Red Misket, Rackcitels and Dimyat. 

The use of original technology was developed by Vinprom in Yambol tuning this rakia into a favorite drink for many people. "Yambolska Grozdova" is a rakia type with a golden color and a soft and harmonious taste. There is a very pleasant grape aftertaste. It is produced in various bottle sizes, the most popular 500ml, 700ml and 1 litre (pictured). 

Awards earned for this Yambol Grape Rakia include:

Honorary Diploma, "Vinaria 2004", 

Bulgaria Gold Medal, "Vinaria 2005", Bulgaria

Current Collection of Rakia for Sale in Kaufland Supermarket

One of the biggest selection of spirits is in the Rakia section of the supermarket in Bulgaria. and why not it is the official National drink. On a trip to Kaufland Supermarket in Yambol I captured the selection for sale. 

Most of it is Bulgarian but there are a couple of Macedonian makes on the bottom shelf of one of the pictures. You can also see the prices which. The designs of the bottles are very attractive as a bonus to the contents although, home made rakia in the main is 'The King' and any self-righteous Bulgarian would prefer that option and not buy.

Bulgarian Cuisine - Rakia

Rakia

Bulgaria’s national beverage, rakia is made out of fermented fruits, usually grapes or different kinds of plums. People often mistake Rakiya for “brandy” but the two drinks are distinct in their distillation, fermentation, and ingredients. Every region has its own version of rakia depending on the local fruit crops.

Rakiya is a stiff drink, usually having 40% alcohol content. Home-brewed rakia can be quite stronger, depending on who’s making it. Bulgarians enjoy drinking it during dinner, ideally combined with a shopska salata and maybe a plate of cheese.

This was the description of Rakia as part of the best Bulgarian National Foods.

If you want to see the other arrays of foods and drinks that accompany Rakia as an important part of the Bulgarian Traditional and acclaimed dinner table visit this link:

Bulgarian-cuisine

Bulgaria Rated 24th in the World Alcohol Drinking Order

Out of the top 25 drinking countries in the world, Bulgaria is rated 24th with the equivalent of 9.72 litres of pure alcohol consumed per year. Rakia of course contributes to this greatly.

See others who made the list on this site:

http://micetimes.asia/called-the-twenty-five-most-drinking-countries-in-the-world-photo/

5 European Spirits to Sip During Your Next Trip

5 European Spirits to Sip During Your Next Trip: Europe offers so much more than great beer and wine.

The Balkan Festival of Crafts and Rakia begins in Shishkovtsi

The Balkan Festival of Crafts and Rakia begins in Shishkovtsi. You can read all about on this link:

https://travelbulgaria.news/balkan-festiva-shishkovtsi/

Birmingham's only Bulgarian Restaurant - Rakia On The Menu

A Bulgarian restaurant has just opened in Birmingham - It is the only one in Birmingham and of course Rakia is on the menu.

The co-owner is Georgi Mitkov from Plovdiv has made the interior into a traditional Bulgarian restaurant called 'The Bulgarian Village,' with essential traditional Bulgarian menus. With his work history as bar manager at an Indian restaurant on Broad Street and Buddha Bar in Dubai he seemingly is set for success in Birmingham.

As you can see from the picture, you may as well be in Bulgaria with the traditional lay out of the restaurant.

Quote
"A big part of Bulgarian culture is Rakia - arguably the most popular drink in Bulgaria. It’s a fruit brandy and the alcohol content of Rakia is normally 40% ABV. Common flavours are produced from plums, grapes and apricots available at the Bulgarian Village."

If you want to know more read the report on this site: www.birminghammail.co.uk

Customs officers Found over 260 Liters of Illegally Produced Alcohol from an Internet Ad - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

Customs officers Found over 260 Liters of Illegally Produced Alcohol from an Internet Ad - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency

Australia Openings for Rakia - Pining Bulgarian's?

If you want to know what's happening down-under in terms of Rakia popularity look at this site to get the wave......

I must say that the reason for all this worldwide fame for rakia is Bulgarian being pioneers to all continents and spreading the word, but more likely Bulgarians' a pining to home beverages.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/food-wine/new-foods-rakia-chickpea-tofu-camel-milk-royal-red-prawns/news-story/f8878a12898f92e320e37ecc77f7f108

Rakia Business Started Up In Texas

This is a great story of two guys who started up a Rakia making business in Texas USA in 2011. They state, 'It was tough!' but success seems now to be in place for the aptly named company Dorcol Distilling. The full story can be found here...belgrade-boy-ships-rakija-tradition-to-texas

Let's Get The Rakia Info Rolling Again

Lovely article on a Balkan Tour, not including Bulgaria I might add. This article just shows the versatility and variations that are developed throughout the Balkan regions.

The link can be found here:
rakia fueled adventure through the balkans

Enjoy as more to come on a regular basis after my trip to Serbia to sample rakia there.