In the countryside, hundreds of people who happen to have fruit trees collect and take the fallen plums, berries, or apricots to a local brewery, where a team of pálinka makers help them create a fruit brandy aka the Hungarian spirit. Those who rather play the lone hand purchase their own distilling kit and educate themselves on how to become producers instead.

Either way, everyone with their own alcoholic beverage is proud as a peacock, willing to show their pride and joy fruit distillate to anyone who cross their doorstep. Especially on special events like Easter, birthdays, weddings, or on the occasion of unplanned visits from friends, relatives. Warning! Guests shouldn’t shy away from and refuse the host’s offer, because the poor man would take offence at them. They are so passionate about pálinka as if it was their love child; they want everyone to know how proud they are of it.

How to drink pálinka

Beware! While in the countryside they say you should take it fast like a shot, the recent pálinka revolution’s representatives beg to differ. They suggest you take your time, indulge in its fruity smell first (they don’t pour it into a tulip shaped glass for nothing), and then enjoy each and every sip, slow and easy. Thanks to its pretty high alcohol content (minimum 37.5%), you’ll soon feel it kick in unless you are careful enough. The choice is yours, make it an experience!

Pálinka encyclopaedia

Pálinka is under the European Union’s geographic designation protection, meaning that only products that were produced, fermented, distilled, aged and bottled in Hungarian territory can be sold as “pálinka”. Considering the flavours, the drink also known as “fence-ripper” can be made from a list of ripe fruits: plum, apricot, apple, sour cherry, pear, apple, and so on. We differentiate eight pálinka regions, all of which are famous for one specific fruit; for instance, Kecskemét’s area is the land of quality apricot pálinka, but Békés’s pálinka makers specialize in plum distillate.

Photo: Egy jó kép rólad

#1 Low Calorie Drinks

Holiday is the time to loosen up a little bit, so you probably wouldn’t want to give up on a small amount of alcohol while on vacation. It’s useful to know that mixed drinks like vodka tonic are higher in calories than wine, for instance, but a light beer or champagne are also a better choice. Craving a cocktail? Opt for club soda instead of tonic water and save 80 calories!

#2 Healthy Snacks

Treating yourself with something before dinner can be a good idea surprisingly. If you want to take the edge off your hunger the right way, stay away from fried finger foods like egg rolls or French fries, and eat raw vegetables, nuts, shrimp cocktail, chicken satay or mozzarella & veggie skewers, for example.

#3 No Tricky Dips

We all love a good creamy dip, but they can pack as much as 100 calories per scoop. Fortunately there are healthy alternatives to crab and blue cheese: reach for hummus or salsa which only contain 25 and 4 calories per tablespoon.

#4 Good Food Choices

Know, that roasting is one of the healthiest ways to prepare a meal, and it also brings out the natural flavour. Also keep in mind how cheese and creamy soups can turn a healthy vegetable dish into a calorie bomb.

#5 Guilt-Free Desserts

It’s possible to end your meal on a sweet note without eating something unhealthy. Help yourself to fruit (it is lighter than most desserts), or turn a few pages back to our “Have Fun” section where we list our favourite confectionaries where sugar-free delicacies are available!

Asparagus

Asparagus, containing folic acid and vitamin B, gives a proper boost to your workouts. Folic acid also has an important role in transmitting serotonin and dopamine within the human body. Being a diuretic compound, it stimulates detoxification and blood circulation. Its powder version sold in organic shops is said to ease tooth pain, too.

Green Peas

Legumes are a great source of fibre, satisfying our hunger and satiety, whereas the protein in them helps the muscle-building process. Digesting green peas is enduring for our body, as it needs to break the peel of the peas in order to exploit the vitamins they contain. Consequently, our body is burning calories while we are taking in legumes.

Artichoke

Artichoke, which grows in regions with Mediterranean climate, is rich in phosphor, calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium, as well as vitamin A, B1, B2 and C. It is also known to have high content of fibre and mineral salts. Moreover, it regulates hunger, has diuretic effect and lacks calories, so it is a true superfood for everyone on a diet.

Strawberry

Strawberry and its beneficial effects on our body attract the female public interest for a good reason. Due to its high antioxidant content, the popular fruit stimulates skin regeneration, heals the wounds caused by UV light, and makes the skin tighter and more young-looking. Instead of the sweet flavour of strawberries, the fruit is not abundant in sugar, which means that it’s low in calories.

Mint

Mint is one of the most versatile herbs. In wintertime it helps prevent the flu and respiratory infections, whereas during the warmer months we can enjoy its refreshing effect. We know the simplest trick to refresh yourself after a sweaty workout! You just have to put some mint leaves, cucumber slices and lemon slices into a jug of water, leave it in the fridge overnight, and bless yourself for doing so the next day!