Poland, a country full of history, pierogi, beautiful nature, and excellent culinary specialties. Every time I return from Poland, I bring back a large amount of local delicacies. Whether it’s traditional sausages like kiełbasa, kabanos, or delicious krówki. But my absolute favorites are smoked dried Polish plums and kisiel. What do I regularly bring back from my trips to Poland? What are my recommendations for the best Polish culinary souvenirs?
Food Souvenirs from Poland
Polish Caramel Candies Krówki
Krówki are traditional Polish caramel candies that are loved even far beyond the borders of Poland. Their name translates to “little cows.” The original recipe contained only three ingredients – milk, sugar, and butter. The simple preparation and delicious taste made krówki an instant hit, and their popularity quickly grew.
Polish krówki have an unmistakable taste – they are sweet, with a delicate caramel aroma and a slight buttery undertone. Initially, they are hard when bitten, but they quickly melt in your mouth, creating a pleasant creamy sensation. Their consistency is well-balanced, so the candy doesn’t stick to your teeth but still lasts for a long time.
Krówki are probably the most popular culinary souvenir and gift from Poland.
Price for a 250 g package of Polish caramel candies krówki: 9.45 PLN (2.30 EUR)
Polish Smoked Dried Plums
Suska sechlońska is a traditional delicacy originating from Silesia, a region in the southwest of Poland. Suska sechlońska is made from a special variety of plums that is grown only in certain areas of Silesia. These plums are smaller and sweeter than common varieties and have a high sugar content, making them an ideal ingredient for drying.
They are made from a special variety of plums that is grown only in certain areas of Silesia. These plums are smaller and sweeter than common varieties and have a high sugar content, making them an ideal ingredient for drying. The production process is time-consuming and requires expertise. The plums are handpicked, washed, and pitted. Then they are evenly spread on screens and dried with cold smoke, which gives them an additional flavor and aroma.
The result is small, dark, and wrinkled fruits with an intense sweet taste and a slightly sour undertone. Suska sechlońska is especially popular during the Christmas holidays as part of the traditional menu. It is also used in various desserts such as cakes, strudels, or compotes.
Since 2010, Suska Sechlońska has been protected by a EU geographical indication, confirming its uniqueness and significance for Polish culinary tradition.
Price for a 250 g package of Suska Sechlońska (with pit): 9.19 PLN (2.20 EUR)
Price for a 1 kg package of Suska Sechlońska (pitted): 34.69 PLN (8.20 EUR)
Polish Sausages
Poland is renowned for its excellent sausages. If you associate Poland more with cheap and low-quality sausages imported into the Czech Republic, buying them directly in Poland will quickly change your mind. On my last trip, I brought back hunter’s sausage and the so-called “tender” sausage. Both were excellent, and I must add that such tasty sausages I’ve only ever eaten from homemade sources.
Kiełbasa Mysliwska, or hunter’s sausage, is a smoked sausage with a characteristic intense flavor and aroma. It is made from pork, which is finely ground and mixed with spices such as garlic, pepper, marjoram, and others. The mixture is stuffed into natural casings and left to mature for several days so that the flavors can meld together. The sausages are then smoked with cold smoke from hardwood.
Kiełbasa Krucha Domowa, or tender sausage, is a regional meat product typical of the Świdwin district in Poland, which was listed as a traditional Polish product in 2015. Its history dates back to 1974, and the recipe is based on high-quality pork and spices such as garlic, black pepper, marjoram, cardamom, and salt. The meat mixture is aged for 24 hours, then stuffed into thin pork casings, dried, and smoked with beech or fruitwood. The product is characterized by its long shelf life and the distinctive flavor of cardamom.
Price for a 355 g package of Polish Hunter’s Sausage: 20.87 PLN (4.90 EUR)
Price for a 340 g package of Polish Tender Sausage: 12 PLN (2.80 EUR)
Polish Kabanos
The Polish kabanos is a local traditional sausage, a long, thin, and dried sausage with an intense flavor, distinct aroma, and characteristic appearance. Kabanos is primarily made from high-quality pork, but you can also find beef or turkey versions. The meat is first chopped into pieces and mixed with carefully selected spices and salt. The exact recipe may vary by producer, but garlic, pepper, caraway, and sometimes other spices like paprika or nutmeg are commonly used. There are also versions with jalapeño peppers.
The prepared meat mixture is stuffed into thin natural casings and left to mature in a cool place for several days. The kabanos sticks are then smoked with cold smoke from beech or fruitwood. They are further dried until they reach the desired consistency and shelf life. A properly made Polish kabanos should gently crack when broken or cut, revealing marbling of the meat and small pieces of fat. Kabanos is most often served as a cold snack with beer or wine, but it also works well as a travel snack or part of various cold platters.
Price for a 90 g package of Polish Beef Kabanos: 6.79 PLN (1.60 EUR)
Price for a 95 g package of Polish Kabanos with Jalapeño Peppers: 5.29 PLN (1.30 EUR)
Price for a 95 g package of Polish Pork Kabanos: 5.29 PLN (1.30 EUR)
Polish Dessert Bird’s milk
Bird’s milk, in Polish “Ptasie Mleczko,” is a popular Polish sweet made from fluffy foam covered in a thin layer of chocolate. The history of Bird’s milk in Poland dates back to 1936 when Jan Wedel coined the name.
The main ingredients for preparing Bird’s milk are sugar, gelatin, eggs, and various flavors like vanilla or cocoa. Bird’s milk has a very delicate, fluffy texture that literally melts in your mouth. The taste is sweet, with a subtle hint of the added flavor and a pleasant contrast with the crunchy chocolate layer. Originally, Bird’s milk only had a vanilla flavor, but over time, other variations have emerged.
In Poland, Bird’s milk is sold in confectioneries, supermarkets, and specialized sweet shops. It is available in various sizes and shapes, from small bite-sized pieces to larger desserts. The quality of Bird’s milk can vary depending on the manufacturer, with some confectioneries still making this dessert by hand according to traditional recipes. The name “Ptasie mleczko” was trademarked by the E. Wedel company after long patent disputes, so other manufacturers produce similar products under slightly modified names like “Alpine milk,” “Paradise milk,” “Angel milk,” or “Heavenly foam.” A version of Bird’s milk also exists in Russia, where it was created in 1967 by confectioner Anna Chulkova in Vladivostok. A dessert similar to Bird’s milk can also be found in Armenia.
Polish Filled Tubes Rurki
Rurki are another traditional Polish treat. These are sweet tubes made from various types of dough, filled with different fillings, most commonly a cream made from milk, sugar, and butter.
The exact origin of this Polish dessert is not entirely clear, but it is likely a regional specialty originating from the Silesia region in southern Poland. The dough for rurki is made from flour, butter, sugar, and eggs, sometimes with a bit of rum or lemon zest added to enhance the flavor. The dough is rolled out into a thin sheet and cut into strips, which are then carefully wrapped around metal tubes and baked in the oven. The ends of the delicate dough tubes are often dipped in chocolate glaze. After baking, the rurki are left to cool and filled with cream that complements the type of dough.
Preparing this dessert requires a lot of skill and patience, especially when wrapping the dough around the metal tubes, but the result is worth it – delicate, fragrant, and delicious tubes that melt in your mouth. If you visit Poland, be sure not to miss the opportunity to taste this traditional treat.
Price for a 150 g package of Polish Rurki tubes: 4.65 PLN (1.10 EUR)
Polish Gingerbread Katarzynki from Toruń
Katarzynki are traditional Polish gingerbread cookies originating from the city of Toruń, characterized by their shape of six interconnected medallions. Their history dates back to the 14th century when Toruń became the center of gingerbread production in Poland. These sweet treats were originally called “miodownik” due to the addition of honey and were made from local ingredients and imported spices. Katarzynki became one of the most popular types of Toruń gingerbread and are surrounded by many legends about their origin.
The most famous legend tells the story of a baker’s daughter named Kasia, who accidentally created their unique shape. Other tales involve a nun named Catherine or an apprentice named Bogumil, who obtained the recipe from the queen bee. Today, katarzynki are a symbol of the city of Toruń, a popular souvenir, and a part of Polish cultural heritage. Every year, Toruń hosts the “Gingerbread Festival,” where these gingerbread cookies are celebrated. Although their production has become industrialized over the years, katarzynki retain their distinctive taste and tradition that has been enchanting people for centuries.
Price for a package of Katarzynki gingerbread from Toruń: 3.35 PLN (0.80 EUR)
Polish Chocolate Wafers Prince Polo
Polish Prince Polo cookies are chocolate wafers consisting of several layers of crispy wafer sheets interspersed with delicious cocoa filling. The entire cookie is coated with a layer of tasty chocolate.
One interesting fact about these cookies is their long history of production, dating back to 1955 when they were first produced in the Olza factory in the Polish city of Cieszyn. Later, the name was changed to Prince Polo, under which they are still known today.
Another interesting fact about Prince Polo cookies is their popularity in Iceland, where they are among the most popular sweets. Icelanders are even considered the biggest consumers of these cookies in the world. When Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson visited Poland on March 11, 1999, he said: “A whole generation of Icelanders grew up on two things – American Coca-Cola and Polish Prince Polo.”
In the Czech Republic, these cookies are sold under the name Siesta.
Price for a 35 g package of Polish Chocolate Wafers Prince Polo: 1.65 PLN (0.40 EUR)
Polish Dessert Kisiel
Kisiel is a traditional Polish dessert, somewhat similar to milk pudding. Its history dates back to ancient Anatolia and Mesopotamia, some 9000 years ago, where similar dishes were made from ingredients like oats, rye, and wheat. In Polish cuisine, kisiel originally referred to thick soups made from fish gelatin, often sour or fermented, sometimes sweetened and colored with fruit juices. These soups were eaten during fasting periods. The fruit kisiels thickened with potato starch, as we know them today, became widespread only in the late 19th or early 20th century, thanks to the growing production of potatoes. Their preparation is easier than traditional fermented kisiels, which contributed to their popularity.
Today, kisiel is an integral part of Polish cuisine, often served as a light dessert after the main meal. The preparation of kisiel is relatively simple – the base is fruit juice or puree mixed with sugar and starch (most commonly potato or corn starch). This mixture is brought to a boil while stirring constantly, then poured into molds or bowls and left to cool and set in the refrigerator. The most popular flavors are strawberry, raspberry, currant, and cherry, but almost any fruit can be used.
Kisiel is a very refreshing dessert, and I always bring several packages of this treat from Poland.
The price for a 38 g package of Polish raspberry kisiel: 1.59 PLN (0.40 EUR)
Polish Coffee Substitute Inka
Inka is a Polish grain coffee substitute produced since 1971 in the town of Skawina. The production technology was developed by Polish scientists. The producer of Inka coffee is the company Grana. Inka is caffeine-free, making it an alternative for those who want to limit or completely avoid caffeine intake. The drink is made from barley, rye, and chicory. Thanks to this combination, Inka acquires its characteristic taste and aroma, which may vaguely resemble traditional coffee.
Price for a 150 g package of Polish Inka drink: 6.35 PLN (1.50 EUR)
Polish Dill-Flavored Chips
Poles love dill. Therefore, I couldn’t omit Polish dill-flavored chips from the list of gastronomic souvenirs. No further explanation is needed 😊
Price for a 130 g package of Polish dill-flavored chips: 5.99 PLN (1.50 EUR)
What delicacies do you bring back from Poland?
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