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Traditional region

West Bohemia

Traditional region West Bohemia is renowned with a century old spa tradition, Carlsbad porcelain and cut glass. Thanks to the border location, Czech and German cultures have been merging and meeting for several centuries, which is mirrored in local architecture of timbered houses till these days. Experience unforgettable moments in Western Bohemia, local traditions will enthuse you.
You can really savour the region thanks to local culinary specialities, traditional methods and ingredients. Let your senses flow in the unmistakeable fragrance and taste of local cuisine and enjoy.

Dumpling from Karlovy Vary

Unique gourmet delicacy, that is very popular in Karlovarsko Region. The dumpling reminds a cylinder with its shape, the surface is uneven. Secret of its taste and popularity lies in the recipe, where pieces of bread, spices and herbs play a lead role. Also parsley and mace are often added. A procedure of steaming also plays an important part, and is even secret at some official distributors.

Spa wafers from Karlovy Vary

Since the 1856, traditional spa wafers are inseparably connected with a spa atmosphere. Even though spa wafers represent one of typical delicacies of Karlovy Vary, there is not much to be known about their origin. First wafers form, that was found, becomes from the second third of the 18th century. Czech Germans founded tradition of spa wafers production; Barbara Bayer founded first wafer bakery for spa guests in 1867. Successors of Barbara Bayer expanded abroad, spa wafers were exported to Spain, Russia, the Netherlands, Serbia, Bavaria and Hungary. In 1899, Bayer spa wafers bakery was appointed C.a K. (imperial – royal) purveyor for Vienna's court. Traditional spa wafers production has been maintained till these days with a great success

Karlovarský suchar (zwieback)

Has already been made in spa destination Karlovy Vary, with the same procedure, for several decades. Local ingredients also effect quality of the product: both thermal water and salt of Karlovy Vary. Favourite component of diet food.

Becherovka

Traditional herb bitters, made in Karlovy Vary by Jan Becher Company, is made from more than 20 types of herbs and spices, without chemical additives, solely of Karlovy Vary's thermal water, quality alcohol and natural sugar. Becherovka is being prepared according to secret recipe, in the same way since the beginning. 2 people of the company only, a production manager and a production director know the trade secret of the recipe. They are bound with this secret by a lifelong contract and they can't for example travel together. Prepared mix of herbs is poured into bags of natural material and immersed in alcohol for a week, to perfectly absorb it. The extract is mixed with water and natural sugar, and then is left to mature for about 2 months. Then is tapped into characteristic green bottles.

Mineral water Mattoni

Extraordinary spring water drawn from untouched landscape of Karlovy Vary. Named after Heinrich von Mattoni, native of Karlovy Vary of Italian origin, businessman and industrialist. Significant part in the whole history of the Mattoni brand has also municipality Kyselka, located near Karlovy Vary in forested valley of Doupovské hory. Count Heinrich von Mattoni hired local spring in the 19th century, and started persistently build a modern bottling plant and distribution infrastructure of mineral water in Kyselka. He was the first one, who introduced filling of drinks into glass bottles. Alongside glass bottles also paper label with a red eagle, which is so typical for mineral water, was created.

Map of Czech traditions