The Czech Love Affair with Marjoram

Who has not heard of marjoram? This fragrant green spice is abundant in many traditional Czech dishes. Despite originating from the Mediterranean, marjoram has become a quintessential spice in Czech cuisine. Nothing can replace it in potato dishes like “bramboráčky” or “bramboračka”. Czech Marjoram is cultivated and processed in the Czech Republic, flourishing within the...

Food

July 5, 2023

Czech Bread Superstitions & Sayings

Did you know that there are several Czech bread superstitions? There are – and they are very old beliefs and customs that have been passed down through generations. In today’s post, we look into the folklore surrounding this beloved staple and uncover the reasons behind the cautionary tales that have woven themselves into Czech culinary...

Food, LIFESTYLE

July 22, 2022

Czechs and Their Poppy Seeds

Poppy seeds or mák, as Czechs call them. Delicious tiny little seeds of pure blue gold. Czechs grow up in an environment where poppy seeds are commonly eaten. They are sprinkled over buns and kolache are stuffed with poppy seed filling. There are poppy seed cakes, strudels, rolls, and Bundt cakes. Breads and rolls are...

Food, LIFESTYLE

March 15, 2020

Wonderful Gift of Pear Williams Pear Brandy

Wat a surprise! I am blessed because a friend randomly showed up with a delightful gift. He told me he went into a local liquor store and asked for a “top shelf Czech liquor product,” and the man at the liquor store sold him a beautiful bottle of R. Jelinek’s Pear Williams Pear Brandy (or...

Food, LIFESTYLE, Shopping

December 31, 2019

New Year’s Eve and Lentils

What is it about New Year’s Eve and lentils? Well – there is an old Czech saying – “Jak na Nový rok, tak po celý rok” which translates as: “As on New Year’s Day, the same throughout the whole year.” Therefore, on New Year’s Day, most Czechs consume lentils (čočka). Lentils are served on New...

Food, Holidays

December 31, 2019

Czech Christmas Chocolate Collections

How many of you remember growing up with Czech Christmas chocolate collections? You know, the ones that came in the large box which included hooks for hanging on your Christmas tree? The chocolates themselves were wrapped to resemble all sorts of Christmas ornaments. In our house, Christmas was not complete unless we had these included...

Food, Holidays, LIFESTYLE

February 6, 2019

Visit This Retro Restaurant – James Dean Prague

James Dean is a 1950s restaurant/bar located just north of Old Town Square at V Kolkovně 922/1, 110 00 Staré Město, Czechia. The top floor of James Dean is fashioned as an old school diner, with black and white checkered floors, a jukebox, and a motorcycle hanging from the ceiling. The walls and windows are decorated with air-brushed...

Food, LIFESTYLE

Pilsner-Urquell-Lunchbox-TresBohemes-Czech

October 31, 2018

Pilsner Urquell Czech Beer Limited Edition Lunch Box

Well here’s a novel idea… A Pilsner Urquell lunch box. Send little Honza to school the Czech way! ;) But seriously, this is a nice tin case which is currently being sold on eBay and when we saw it, we just thought that for sure, one of our readers would appreciate this little gift! The link...

Beer, LIFESTYLE

September 28, 2018

Breakfast in the Czech Republic

Breakfast has often been called the most important meal of the day and, according to novinky.cz, the Czech people certainly agree with this statement. Breakfast (Czech: snídaně) is enjoyed by the majority of the Czech people. Only about 14% of Czech people skip breakfast regularly. The rest of the population start their day with a...

Food, LIFESTYLE

August 22, 2018

All About The BurgerFest of Prague

BurgerFest is a two day festival which if you can’t smell from miles away, takes place at the Exhibition Grounds in Holešovice, Prague. The BurgerFest is the biggest burger festival in all of Europe, and probably one of the only ones is the city. The name basically describes the festival for itself, it is a huge gathering...

PLACES, Prague

July 27, 2018

The Traditional Czech Treat Known As Chlebíčky

If you have ever visited the Czech Republic, then you surely know about Chlebíčky. This traditional Czech snack can be spotted on the snack plates set out for company in Czech homes, in the hands of Prague citizens rushing through the city, and in the windows and menus of various Czech bistros, cafés, and restaurants....

Food, LIFESTYLE

June 18, 2018

Sykora Bakery in Czech Village, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Today we are strolling down the Avenue in the heart of the Czech Village, to Sykora Bakery, a landmark serving Cedar Rapids & the Czech Community for over a century! (Since 1903, to be exact!) In the following Czech Village photo from 1910, horses and horseless carriages share the road that is divided by trolley...

PLACES, Restaurants

June 13, 2018

The Větrník, A Traditional Czech Cream Puff

A větrník is a delicious traditional Czech dessert. Similar to the French eclair or the Italian profiterole or even a St. Joseph’s Zeppole, this small rich and creamy treat is at the heart of many people who have had the chance to taste it. Made from a Choux pastry which is a light and airy...

LIFESTYLE, Recipes

May 23, 2018

A Czech Chocolate Meringue Roláda

Rolls are a very popular dessert style all around the world, but especially in many parts of Europe. Some are made of sponge cake, others pastry dough, but our favorite is a meringue roláda. The fillings of these rolls can also differ depending on the culture and personal preference. In this recipe we will be...

LIFESTYLE, Recipes

May 2, 2018

The Valašský Frgál – A Wallachian Delicacy That Came About by Accident

Yes, it is true. Talk to any old Moravian grandmother and she’ll tell you that the Wallachian delicacy known as Valašský frgál was originally an unsuccessful koláč, a mistake. Europeans are proud of their gastronomic heritage and culinary jewels across Europe are distinctly married to their citizens; Russia has its caviar, France has its champagne,...

LIFESTYLE

April 20, 2018

3 Traditional Czech Cakes You Have To Try

Koláče are not the only delicious sweet the Czech Republic is known for. In this post, we will be counting down 3 traditional Czech cakes which are known and loved throughout the country. These are, arguably, the most popular cakes from the Czech Republic. 1. Bublanina Bublanina is perhaps one of the most famous cakes...

Food, LIFESTYLE