Home of the trdinka corn

Under the Triglav national park mountains, home to the alpine dairy farmers, you can discover their famous cheeses and many other delicacies. Try authentic Slovenian food and indulge in special gastronomical experiences with the Bohinjsko / From Bohinj certificate.

Surrounded by the peaks of the Julian Alps, a road will take you past Lake Bled and the famous church on the island, and then wind along the Sava Bohinjka River until you’ll reach Slovenia’s largest natural lake: Lake Bohinj. It’s quite possible that the stunning and beautiful nature will take your breath away and make you completely forget about food for a moment. But the rich flavours and aromas of the Bohinj area will be sure to grab your attention soon after.

The Colourful Trdinka Corn

Recently, the “trdinka” corn variety from Bohinj has been at the centre of attention in culinary circles. According to the shape of its kernels, corn is traditionally classified into “zobanka”, “poltrdinka” and “trdinka”. And the latter category, which includes the Bohinj variety, has a higher proportion of protein compared to “zobanka”, which has more starch. This, of course, means it is healthier for us. The locals call it “turšca”, which indicates that it came to our region from Turkey. It is a variety of maize that has largely adapted to growing in the harsh and demanding conditions of the mountainous world.

It differs from other varieties of corn in appearance, as its kernels are multi-coloured. From yellow, orange to dark red and almost black. Once upon a time, trdinka corn was an important part of the daily diet, as it was eaten in the form of “žganci” (cornmeal mush), which were most often complemented by sweet or sour milk and sauerkraut or turnips.

Nowadays in Bohinj, you can encounter this type of corn in many dishes, and as part of a culinary experience with the local Marija Žvan: “Bohinj Corn (Turšca) – From Grain to Žganci”

Cooking Art from Bohinj

The “Cooking Art from Bohinj” culinary workshops focus on traditional Slovenian dishes, full of seasonal local ingredients. The workshops are led by Katica Mikelj and members of the Rural Women’s Association, who will share with you their extensive knowledge and years of cooking experience.

For all those who have never used anything other than an electric oven in their life, the experience of “Traditional Bread baking in a Ceramic Stove” will undoubtedly be unforgettable. During the workshop, you will – from start to finish – bake your loaf of bread in a real brick stove, which you will also light and prepare for baking with the help of Marija. You will learn how to check the oven temperature, which firewood to use, and how to know when the bread is baked to perfection.

Cheese or Schnapps or Chocolate?

The Bohinj area is also famous for its excellent cheeses, so don’t miss the opportunity to taste them. You can go on your very own cheese tour, by bike, car, or bus. On your tailor-made route, you will learn all about cheese, alpine dairy farming, and the history of cheese-making in Bohinj. You will learn and see how the famous Bohinj cheese is traditionally made, and of course taste it.

At the “Schnapps Tasting” experience, you can taste different flavours of home-made spirits. You will also learn all about the methods and history of spirit production, as well as hear a local story or two.

If you have a sweet tooth, you can go for the “Bohinj Chocolate Tasting” in Čokohram. Interesting combinations of chocolate and various local flavours await you there. Undoubtedly the most surprising is the one with “mohant”, a spicy Bohinj cheese. They also have chocolate with pollen, hemp seeds, cracklings, raspberries, strawberries, or hazelnuts, as well as elderflower, nettles, and various herbs.

A treasure trove of culinary experiences with the Bohinjsko / From Bohinj certificate will bring you closer to the authentic Slovenian food of this area, and ensure a delicious holiday in beautiful Bohinj.