Fermented Milk Products From All Over the World • Žinčica or acidofilne mlieko (Slovakia)

In Slovakia, there is a beverage made out of fermented milk that is similar to kefir, called Žinčica. It is made out of the whey that remains after making bryndza, a type of cheese made out of sheep’s milk. Practically, the whey that results from this process is then turned into a sour beverage, which was once made and drank by shepherds, instead of water. Several types of bacteria are responsible for the fermentation process of this beverage, so we can mention Lactobacillus casei, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides, all of them being lactic acid bacteria.

Acidofilne mlieko or acidophilic milk is actually fermented milk that has a sour taste and is easier to digest, as it contains no lactose. In fact, specialists say that Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is the bacteria present in this sour milk, is incredibly good for our health. This bacteria improves our digestion while producing vitamin B, so the acidophilic milk is recommended by all nutritionists. In fact, you can find this kind of milk in a variety of flavors in the Slovakian shops, as a sign that enjoys and consumes it.