Whatever you have heard tea is the everyday drink in Poland, while coffee gives stimulus and sipping it in company often has social function. The country abounds in quality mineral waters, and its excellent fruit crops produce tasty juices. Milk is generally thought the kid’s stuff but homely sour milk and its processed equivalent, kefir, are common refreshers. Polish vodka remains the traditional booze, yet beer has recently become more popular.
Coffee and Tea in Poland
14/09/2019
Krakow Tea
Typical Pole drinks a glass of black tea for breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, and in between as well.
His “herbata” is usually pretty weak, with sugar and often a slice of lemon, rarely milk (tea with milk is considered good for lactating mothers).
And on frosty days hot tea with admixture of rum or strong vodka can warm him up in a flash. Also herbal teas–i.e. various blends of dried leaves, blossoms, and berries–are prized either for their taste or healthy properties, or both.
Coffee in Krakow
Most Poles seem hooked on strong coffee and they cannot carry on without a cup a day, or two or more.
Many still brew it the Polish way by putting a spoonful or two of ground coffee into a glass and filling the vessel up with boiling water. Some do so even in Krakow though it is held rather barbarian in the city enamored of espresso.
In its penchant for good coffee Krakow resembles Vienna, close both geographically and historically, and it may well rival the Austrian capital in the saturation with cafés, some century-old and museum-like, some brand-new and trendy.
They are to the residents of this city what pubs are to Londoners and diners to New Yorkers. In Krakow a meeting over a cup of coffee is the most popular social occasion.
It usually entails at least an hour-long chat, argument, or negotiations, be it between fresh acquaintances, old friends, lovers, enemies or business partners.