Drinks & Țuică
Țuică — Romania's Liquid Soul
Țuică (pronounced: "Zuika") is plum brandy and Romania's national drink. It is home-distilled in every village (50–60% Vol.) and served on every occasion — for greetings, meals, farewells, in joy and in sorrow. In Maramureș, it is called Horincă and is distilled from apples or pears. The noble variant is Pălincă — double distilled and crystal clear.
Drinking ritual: A "Noroc!" (Cheers!) is a must, followed by a gulp (not a sip!). In the village, Țuică is drunk before meals — as an aperitif and to "warm up the stomach." Do not refuse — it is considered impolite. But: Homemade can be very strong. Use sparingly.
Wine
Romania is an underrated wine country with a 6,000-year-old winemaking tradition. The main wine regions:
- Dealu Mare — South of the Carpathians, Romania's Bordeaux. Excellent Fetească Neagră (indigenous red grape variety), Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.
- Drăgășani — In Wallachia. Known for Cramposie (white wine) and the excellent Avincis winery.
- Cotnari — In Moldova. Famous for Grasă de Cotnari, a golden dessert wine compared to Tokaji Aszú.
- Recaș — In Banat (West). Modern wineries with international standards.
Romanian wine is excellent and dirt cheap: A good bottle in the supermarket costs 3–8€, in restaurants 10–20€. Highly recommended: the indigenous grape varieties Fetească Neagră (red, full-bodied), Fetească Albă (white, fresh), and Tămâioasă Românească (muscat-like, aromatic).
Beer
Romania has a solid beer culture: Ursus, Timișoreana, and Ciucaș are the most well-known brands — all drinkable, all affordable (1–3€ in restaurants, 0.60–1€ in supermarkets). In recent years, a small but fine craft beer scene has emerged, especially in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Brașov.
Coffee
Romanians drink a lot of good coffee. The café culture is booming, especially in university towns. An espresso or cappuccino costs 1.50–3€ — and is often excellent. In villages, Turkish coffee (cafea turcească) is still drunk: finely ground, brewed in an Ibrik, with sugar and grounds in the cup. Do not stir!
