Bulgarian cuisine is a mix between oriental and European taste, so some may say that it is universal. Everyone likes the most popular local foods such as banitsa, Shopska salad, lutenitsa, etc. But there are some popular Bulgarian dishes and drinks that arouse controversial reactions among foreigners. Here are 5 of them:

Tarator

This cold soup (sometimes even served with ice) is mostly eaten in the summer. It is prepared with Bulgarian yogurt containing Lactobacillus bulgaricus, which makes it a natural probiotic with beneficial effect on humans. Add a little water and cut fresh cucumbers into small cubes, crush some walnuts, add olive oil, sprinkle with dill and you're done! But let's not forget the garlic because the main principle is: "The more garlic, the better"!

• Historical facts about Bulgarian yogurt

Popara

This is easy, stomach-warming, energetic and typical Bulgarian breakfast! You need to crush dry bread in a bowl, add Bulgarian white cheese, some butter, some sugar and pour hot herbal tea /or water/ over everything. Then you cover it with a plate for while and in a minute your breakfast is ready. To this day, many Bulgarian children eat popara daily. In the past it was sometimes given to children for dinner, too. Instead of herbal tea, people even poured some red wine in it for good sleep.

Boza

This thick brownish fermented liquid has slightly acidic sweet taste and people usually drink it while enjoying banitsa. However, the drink may seem strange to foreigners. The drink is typical for the Balkans and is believed to date back to the 10th century. Nowadays, boza is made after fermentation of sweetened cereals, such as barley, corn or wheat...But beware! Although it contains a lot of useful vitamins and minerals, the drink could lead to rapid weight gain.

• Taste Bulgaria to know and love it

Tripe soup

Despite the fact it is present in the cuisine of many nations, Bulgarians take special pride in their tripe soup. The methods of preparation vary and it is a matter of honor to keep one’s recipe a secret. Generally speaking, it is a soup of beef or pork belly, oil, butter, red pepper, fresh milk. The soup is mixed abundantly with a mixture of vinegar, hot red pepper and large amounts of garlic. Specialized restaurants for tripe soup open early in the morning because the soup is a tried and tested remedy for hangovers.

• The Bulgarian summertime diet

Fries with cheese

For Bulgarians, there is nothing more natural than grating white cheese on freshly fried potatoes. The dish is often enjoyed with beer. For foreigners, however, the combination may look strange at first, but when they try it the most common reaction is: "That's great, how did we not think of it earlier!".