Another unique food is Olomoucké tvarůžky, or stinky cheese, a regional specialty of the Olomouc area. It has a very strong smell, but is a popular local product.
My students have also introduced me to some of their favorite sweets. I tried a chocolate-covered banana jelly candy, Margot, a chocolate bar with coconut filling, and Kofila, a chocolate bar with coffee cream. For drinks, I discovered Kofola, the Czech alternative to Coke, which has a slightly flatter texture and a refreshing citrus flavor.
Some of my favorite discoveries have been the traditional desserts. Trdelník, also called chimney cake, is sweet dough roasted around a wooden cylinder and coated in cinnamon sugar, coconut or other toppings. It can also be filled with Nutella, strawberries, ice cream or pistachio cream. Another favorite is koláče, small pastries filled with ingredients such as plum, apricot, apple, sweet cheese or poppy seeds.
Finally, I have explored some of the drinks and products associated with my local area. Burčák is a sweet, young grape drink that is still in the early stages of fermentation before becoming wine. Litovel is also known for its own brewery and Litovel beer. I have even tried radlers, which combine beer with lemonade or another fruit drink.
My experiences with Czech food have been a mixture of wonderful discoveries and a few surprises! Some dishes, like svíčková, trdelník, and koláče, quickly became favorites because of their comforting flavors and sweetness. I especially loved the plum and poppy seed pastries, as well as the coconut-filled Margot chocolate bar.
