Plums on the market stand in Poland. ( mariusz_prusaczyk (123RF))
I am going to be honest with you, my first trip to a Polish grocery store was a bit intimidating. Fresh off the airplane from Los Angeles in 2018, we went into a local Carrefour in Bydgoszcz, Poland. EVERYTHING was in Polish! Not only that, but the lady at the checkout was speaking Polish so fast that all I could do was freeze. No amount of Duolingo or Mango Languages could have helped me in that moment. Tears were shed. Lucky for you, reader, I have a short and simple guide that may help you at the grocery store.
Prepare for the visit by ensuring you have the right currency. You can pay in Złoty, the currency of Poland. Debit cards or contactless cards work as well. If you use cash, have exact change or “groszy.” This was something I had to get used to while in Poland.
Polish vegetables are called “warzywa” and fruits, “owoce.” What I love about Poland is the abundance of fresh in-season vegetables and fruits. You’ll often find loose items, not prepackaged items. This is, of course, a nod to sustainability. You’ll find young cabbage, beets, an abundance of mushrooms and rhubarb. You’ll find a plethora of potatoes as well. When spring rolls around, I find fresh cherries at inexpensive prices.
Many of Poland’s main dishes are made from these fresh vegetables and fruits. Bigos or Hunters Stew, Pierogi, Barszcz (Beet Soup) and Golabki (Cabbage Rolls). As with many European markets, remember to weigh your items and put a sticker on them. Scales are readily available for you to use.
Poland has a plethora of flour types suited for different needs. Flour is called “mąka.”
Universal (type 480): This is a soft, refined white flour used for all forms of general baking. It is closest in mineral and gluten content to an American all-purpose flour.
Stronger White (type 550): This flour is like bread flour and is recommended for yeast cakes and fried cakes.
Spelt (630): Spelt flour is a type of whole grain flour that is high in protein and has a nutty and slightly sweet flavor.
Bread (type 750): This flour is used for making bread.
Ancient Grain (Einkorn): Einkorn is an ancient grain that is lower in gluten and higher in protein than modern wheat flour.
Rye (type 720): Rye flour is used in making traditional Polish rye bread.
Tortowa (type 450): This is a type of cake flour recommended for sponge cake or sponge cake with fat.
Poland is known for its vodka and often has a whole aisle devoted to different types. You can’t go wrong with Zumbrowka.
One item I love is Nalewka. The mass-produced bottles can be found in supermarkets but get to know your Polish neighbors really well and you’ll taste the best Nalewka! Nalewka is a mixture of Spirityus (an Everclear of sorts), sugar and fruit.
Beer is popular in Poland with brands like Żywiec, Okocim, Tyskie, and Żubr. There is a great craft beer scene in Poland, and you’ll find a lot of it on the shelves in the grocery store.
Typically, when Americans head to the grocery store we think we have to buy an entire pack of water or soda. When you are shopping in Poland, however, you’ll notice that Poles tear open packs and take individual bottles. You can buy most items individually, so tear open the package if needed.
What I loved about Poland is the abundance of sparkling water. In Poland, sparkling water is called “gazowana”. You can find light “lekko” and strong “mocny” gazowana as well. Served cold is the best!
Looking for still water? It’s simply called “niegazowana.”
Of course, you might be looking for comfort foods. Maybe you want some peanut butter or are craving tacos. Often times, stores will have specialty aisles. You may even find specialty stores devoted to foreign imports. My best advice is to peruse the aisles and get familiar with the layout. Stores like Lidl will have “American Week” and you’ll find a lot of corn dogs, hamburgers, ketchup and popcorn.
Lastly, bring your own bag to the grocery store. You’ll hear the cashier say “masz torbę?” which means: “Do you have a bag?” Hold your ground, take your time and enjoy this experience, it gets better each time!
Visit Kimberly Kephart Travels for more entertaining and informative articles.
