Yambol Rakia in a Yambol Rakia Glass

 These rakia glasses with Yambol grape rakia inscribed on the side used to be given away free with each bottle of rakia. Not seen that for a few years so the glass is old stock.

More Rakia To Be Made in Yambol

The Rakia season continues as I spot more barrels of fermented fruit due at the rakia house for distilling in due course.

Inside One of Yambol's Many Rakia Houses

 In the Halle area of Yambol, this is the scene on one of the many Rakia Houses in the Yambol region at the height of season of rakia making.

Apples Ripe for Rakia in Yambol

 It is the season for ripe apples and in Yambol most of them are processed for rakia which will be ready by Christmas.

Yambol Rakia on the Dinner Table

 Rakia made in Yambol is sitting on the family dinner table in Yambol alongside traditional Balkan foods. A common situation every evening in Bulgaria

All Set For Rakia Making in Yambol

Looks like everything is ready for rakia making in Yambol. Wine in barrels, wood, soda and salt in waiting. Typical materials needed for a good spirit for Christmas and beyond.

 

A Present - A Bottle of Rakia Made in Yambol

 It was a pleasant surprise to receive a bottle of freshly made rakia today from my neighbour in Yambol. 100ml will go down nicely with a salad this evening!

Ready for Distilling Rakia in Yambol

 It hasn't gone unnoticed that this is the time for making rakia out of grapes. you cannot fail to smell the alcohol as you pass places where the fermented grapes are being processed. This group of barrels should soon be distilled providing ample rakia for the coming winter.

Plums for Rakia Making in Yambol

 Freshly picked plums picked ready to go towards this year's rakia in Yambol. These were just windfall stock and it will be back to the plums trees for more after a windy day.

Inside the Rakia House in Yambol

A view of the inside of a rakia house in Yambol can be seen here. With different sizes of stills for the distilling this place is very busy in October and November from grapes having been harvested and fermented out. The distinctive smell of rakia lingers throughout the factory.

A Local Rakia Making House in Yambol

Today was rakia making day for me as I attended the local rakia making house in Yambol. Situated in a off the track remote part of Yambol give the feel of a village location. by midday 47 litres of rakia were on the way home to last the year ahead. Yes, it was raining an d didn't stop all day!

The Drink Rakia Crew in Yambol

Couldn't help but notice that The Drink Rakia Crew have left their mark here in Yambol. Strange way to leave their mark. Will be watching out for more places where they have been from now on.

Grapevines Grown Over Yambol Garages

It is nearly harvest time in the grape world and these two Yambol garages are no exception to the chores of harvesting. Not just from the point of wine and rakia but how much improved does the sight of the garages improve with the greenery surrounding them? Immense!

A Store For Fermenting Wine for Rakia in Yambol

At first sight you wouldn't know what this corrugated box was sitting in the suburbs of Yambol. Inside are 12 big 100 litre barrels of fermenting wine ready for making the traditional spirit Rakia. If you don't know what Rakia is then check out this sight which will inform you The Rakia Site

What a Lovely Place For Lunch in Yambol

there are hundreds, even thousands of places to eat in Yambol, but this particular place is one of my favourites. Surrounded by greenery and away from other diners, many a rakia and shopska salad has been enjoyed there. There service however does take time as it is quite a way from the restaurant!

Rakia on a Supermarket Shelf

Rakia on a shelf in a Yambol Supermarket, a common sight. Burgas 63 is a good brand and goes well with any salad all year round. Priced at around to the equivalent £6 a good price for expats but not for Bulgarians who would rather drink their home made versions.

Rakia Making Still Active In Yambol

Our local rakia house is still very much in use with locals who are processing their grape wine. Thie smoking fires heating the wine will be going on right through to Christmas and perhaps beyond. This year the grape harvest wasn't that good which means poor wine that won't be drunk but turned into rakia instead. Nothing is wasted here.

A Fine Vine Outside A Yambol Apartment Block

There will certainly be grapes to eat and wine or rakia to drink in the community with this fine vine growing outside this Yambol apartment block. A common sight to see all over Yambol, where there is space crops will grow. It also provided a good shelter from the hot summer sun.

Rolling In Sliva Wine For Rakia Making In Yambol

This cart was pulled in by donkey full of sliva (plum) wine for the rakia making process that goes on not just in Yambol but the whole of the Balkan region. It will be ready for drinking around the end of September at the start of the grape harvesting season.

Sliva In Yambol Ready For Picking

It is well and truely rakia time in Yambol as the sliva (plums) are at their ripest. They will be shaken out of the tree and made into wine then processed into rakia in the distilling houses scattered around. I can't wait to sample my own in a month of two when ready. It is a very good year for sliva crops this year.