Bulgaria - Food

Bulgarian cuisine features fresh vegetables, grilled meats, and a strong tradition of dairy, particularly its famous yogurt containing the unique Lactobacillus bulgaricus bacterium. Key dishes include Shopska Salad, a staple of fresh chopped vegetables and sirene cheese; Banitsa, a rich pastry with filo and cheese; Tarator, a refreshing cold soup made with yogurt, cucumbers, and dill; and Gyuvech, slow-cooked stews in clay pots. The cuisine also boasts alcoholic drinks like Rakia and non-alcoholic beverages like Boza. 

Yogurt is a National Treasure 

• Bulgaria is the homeland of yogurt, which contains two unique bacteria: Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus.
• The Lactobacillus bulgaricus bacterium, discovered by a Bulgarian scientist named Stamen Grigorov in 1905, is naturally found in Bulgaria and contributes to the natural fermentation process that makes yogurt.

Fresh and Flavorful Ingredients

• The cuisine relies heavily on fresh vegetables, herbs, and various meats like pork, chicken, and lamb. 
• Salads are a popular appetizer, with the Shopska Salad (diced tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and white cheese) being particularly famous. 

Signature Dishes and Pastries

• Banitsa: 

A layered filo pastry, often filled with cheese, eggs, or spinach, and baked until golden. 

• Tarator: 

A delicious, cold yogurt soup made with cucumbers, garlic, dill, and walnuts, perfect for warm weather. 

• Gyuvech: 

A hearty stew of mixed vegetables and meat, slow-cooked in a traditional clay pot. 

• Kebapche: 

A type of grilled minced meat sausage seasoned with spices like cumin and paprika. 

• Sarmi: 

A dish where various ingredients are wrapped in leaves, such as cabbage or vine, and then steamed or cooked. 

Beverage Culture 

• Rakia: A popular fruit brandy made from fermented grapes, pears, plums, or apricots.
• Boza: A thick, non-alcoholic drink made from wheat, rye, or millet.

Influences and Cooking Styles

• Bulgarian cuisine shows influences from Ottoman cuisine, sharing dishes with the Middle East and the Balkans. 
• Grilling is a prominent cooking method, especially for kebapche and kyufte (grilled meatballs). 
• The cuisine also features water-based stews and various types of pastries