Traditional Czech foods are known for being high in calories; they contain meat, fats, flour and heavy sauces. Their focus on hearty ingredients comes from a historical need for energy and food preservation. The Czech Republic has incredibly cold winters, so traditional foods needed to contain substantial calories to give Czech people enough energy to work through harsh winter conditions. Before refrigerators and modern preservatives were invented, people all over the world, including Czech citizens, ate foods with a high fat content, which lasted longer in storage. Now, traditional foods in the Czech Republic resemble high-calorie soups, dumplings and meat dishes of the past.
Today, I took a tram to a local restaurant recommended by one of my professors. (Trams are vehicles that travel along rails and are powered by overhead wires.) I sat down and ordered a traditional Czech dish, fried cheese. This fried ripened cheese, Olomoucké tvarůžky, was coated in breadcrumbs and came with a small fruit salad and a side of fries with chipotle mayonnaise dip. I also ordered a homemade blueberry lemonade because freshly made drinks are very popular in Prague!
