The world’s oldest alcohol beverage also has a tradition in Slovakia
Only honey and water. These are two ingredients of medovina, which is Slovak for mead, the oldest alcoholic drink in the world.
It has appeared in forests naturally without a human’s effort. In tree cavity – where was honey stored -was enough to add few drops of rainfall, the honey started to ferment and the mead was made even before a human discovered the beverage.
In southern Europe, tradition of mead is not so spread and well-known as it is in northern countries, according to Bronislav Tomka, the owner of the Nitra-based Medovina Tomka company.
“In ancient Rome or Greece grapes grew everywhere, so it was easier to make wine out of them than fight with bees for a little bit of honey,” Tomka explains why mead used to be more popular for Slavs, Celts, Vikings and other northern tribes.
In Slovakia, production of mead was only renewed a few decades ago, but the drink has quickly become popular again – as well as internationally acclaimed.
