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Every country has a food item that is a traditional part of its culture and in Lithuania, it’s Cold Beetroot Soup. Dating back to the 17th century, this cold soup is a seasonal dish, mostly appearing on Lithuanian menus during heat waves.
To introduce visitors to this traditional dish,
Lithuania’s national tourism development agency, Lithuania Travel, has introduced a Cold Beetroot Soup Map, a one-of-a-kind culinary guide that takes tourists on a tasty journey through Lithuania’s gastronomic scene.
The map provides a user-friendly platform for travelers to explore Lithuania’s best culinary hotspots. The map features renowned restaurants, cozy cafes, and local eateries where visitors can indulge in the finest variations of this iconic dish, known locally as šaltibarščiai. Whether you prefer a classic recipe or a modern twist, the map has you covered, guiding you to the most authentic and innovative places serving this Lithuanian specialty.
Some of the more curious options on the menu include a take on šaltibarščiai with crayfish tails and sorrel at the Déjà vu restaurant, a bowl topped with sour cream ice cream in Dubingių žirgynas, and even a slice of šaltibarščiai cake, made at the Patore sesės bakery in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.
The soup has a bright pink color due to the natural beetroot juice and an incredibly fresh taste due to the most important ingredient in the cold soup – kephir, recognized by nutritionists as one of the healthiest products in the world. Mixed with cucumbers, dill, eggs, and other secret ingredients, this vibrant soup is a summertime favorite and a true taste of Lithuanian hospitality.
For many Lithuanians, šaltibarščiai is more than just a dish; it evokes feelings of nostalgia, childhood memories, and a sense of comfort. It is often enjoyed during family gatherings, celebrations, or simply as a comfort food that brings people together. Passed down through generations, the iconic recipe has become somewhat of a heritage item for the country.
The beloved dish has also begun to permeate pop culture in recent years, with visitors and locals alike being able to shop around for t-shirts, lighters, keychains, and even šaltibarščiai flavored snacks. At the start of June, Lithuania’s capital city even dedicated an entire festival to the soup, with murals, installations, a slide, and the numerous costumes of attendants symbolizing the fuschia-coloured dish.
For more on this country, go to Lithuania Travel,
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