THROUGH PLATES AND DISHES OF THE WITCHER UNIVERSE

Are there any fans of strigas, wyverns and drowners? Or lovers of good food and beverages? If so, you will surely be interested in a set of recipes for dishes, which were enjoyed by Geralt from Rivia himself, and which we were able to collect and adapt. We invite you for a culinary journey through the plates and bowls of the Witcher universe!

The Witcher does not need to be introduced to anyone. In the world created by Andrzej Sapkowski there is no shortage of details that give some unique character to the whole saga. One of such elements is, among others, the food that both can be found on the pages of books and while you walk the trails within the game. Many lands and kingdoms that we can read about are distinguished by the specialties served in local taverns. Mahakam's potato soup, Hattori's dumplings or other specialties served in the Kingfisher or Crab and Garfish Inn are just the beginning of the list of dishes that creates the style and the flavors of cities and settlements visited on Roach's saddle. Certainly the Geralt's search for new contracts contributed to the discovery of new flavors and made a very needed break from the Lambert noodles served in Kaer Morhen.

But what is the essence of the Witcher's cuisine? Certainly referring to and drawing from the sources of regional dishes that have been efficiently and skillfully woven into the story. In both books and the game, you can easily distinguish flavors characteristic for Polish and Slavic cuisine. No wonder, after all, the white-haired killer of monsters is strongly associated with our native culture.

The already mentioned Mahakam potato soup (zalewajka mahakamska) from the "Season of Storms" is a well-known dish in Silesia and the log drivers' soup (zupa flisacka) made of fish, from the "Sword of Destiny", is associated with the tradition of a professional group existing in former Poland, dealing with river rafting, i.e. transport of goods. Looking for Slavic themes, we will refer to the examples from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Surely you have not once strayed from the main route to explore unknown paths hiding additional adventures. If you went to the backwoods of Nobody's Land with your Roach, you could do the side quest "Where the Cat and Wolf Play ..." and meet Millie, the girl whose aunt from the village of Oreton prepares the slavic pancakes. This snack is one of the oldest forms of bread, called in Polish “Podpłomyki”.

In turn, searching through the bodies of fallen enemies or peering into crates and behind bookshelves lying in dusty homes, it is not difficult to come across all kinds of notes that often mention dishes, and often reveal the secrets of these local flavors. One of such notes says about pancakes prepared from acorn flour. And although the flour of this kind is not good in quality, it was actually used by the Slavs at a time when access to nutritious food was limited and there was famine. Therefore, pancakes perfectly fit into the area of Velen, where some of the inhabitants are hungry and miserable due to the war turmoil. Of course, we also know that not only the Slavic or Polish references or present in the Witcher series. Therefore, if we leave the borders of the Kingdoms of the North, we can reach the rocky islands of the Skellige archipelago, surrounded by sea depths, or to the charming Toussaint with the extensive vineyards dotted here and there. Such journeys will surely change our view of the Witcher's menu and its grand variety.

It cannot omit the reader's attention that the menu of the Witcher, although very extensive and full of sophisticated dishes, is inspired by the culinary history of Europe. Every bite has to remind you about the character and the specific atmosphere of this extraordinary world. Just as in reality - cultures mix with each other, migrate and inspire. Over time, each dish, inn or liquor begins to be associated with a specific place or region. And although no one dares to doubt that the Witcher universe is a very colorful and vigorous place, thanks to such a wide range of delicacies, this place becomes even more real and believable for the audience.