In the heart of Spačva, rakija is not just a drink, but a deeply rooted part of culture and tradition, a symbol of hospitality and togetherness. Before every meal, Slavonian rakija is offered as an aperitif to stimulate the appetite, while drinking rakija at parties and gatherings signifies a celebration of life, health and longevity. The process of making it, from the first bašica (the first and strongest rakija) to the last patoka (the last and weakest rakija), and its storage in different types of wooden barrels, give rakija its special value and a variety of flavours, making every sip a story.
“If only I could get a cow that produces real plum brandy” (Da je meni nabaviti kravu, koja daje šljivovicu pravu!) or “Oh, brandy, if you were closer to God, you would knock Him off His feet too!” (Oj rakijo da si bliže Bogu, i njega bi oborila s nogu!)
— This traditional beverage has been praised in many a bećarac (a humorous form of folk song, originally from rural Slavonia).
In Slavonia, before lunch or dinner you will always be offered a sip of Slavonian rakija for a better appetite. With it you will toast to good health and a long life. “If only I could get a cow that produces real plum brandy!” or “Oh, brandy, if you were closer to God, you would knock Him off His feet too!” This traditional beverage has been praised in many a bećarac.
In Slavonia, rakija is a steadfast companion of every celebration, and almost every house in the local villages has its own plum orchard, from which come the best brandies, drank from a shot glass.
The first and strongest rakija in the production of rakija is called bašica, and the last and weakest is patoka. Rakija can be stored in mulberry, walnut, acacia or oak barrels, which will give it a specific colour – amber, amber-yellow, yellow and olive-green hue. In registered tasting rooms and at the family run farms (OPGs) of the Tourist Board of the Spačva Forest Area you can enjoy not only plum brandy, but quince, apricot and pear (viljamovka) brandy as well, and elderberry, cherry, walnut and rosehip liqueurs.
Some time ago, rakija was used as an almost universal folk medicine. Orahovac (walnut brandy) eases stomach problems after eating too much fatty food, and rakija helps with colds and flu. Externally, every type of rakija disinfects wounds and kills bacteria, but also brings temperature down.
