This small and cozy country attracts tourists with the opportunity to relax calmly and measuredly. Here you can wander through ancient castles, cathedrals and relax on the Baltic coast. In order not to spoil your vacation with any surprises, it is better to immediately get to know all the national peculiarities of Latvia.
National characteristics
First of all, Latvians always honor their traditions and history. They are very workable and easily endure difficulties. Their national character trait can be distinguished by a certain isolation, which is explained by the life of their ancestors in remote farms. This kind of love for country life is also manifested in modern Latvians. For them, such a house is like a family nest, so maximum attention is paid to it. In communication, they are quite simple, and many know Russian. Also, their character is dominated by ambition. They love to demonstrate to others their independence in everything.
Kitchen
Latvian cuisine is based on very simple products. First of all, these are potatoes, peas, beans, vegetables and milk. The most favorite vegetable is cabbage, especially sauerkraut. Pork is eaten most of all from meat. It is baked, jellied meat is boiled. Other types of meat are not very common, except for lamb and poultry. Latvians are very fond of fish dishes, using both sea fish and freshwater fish for cooking.
At first glance, many ingredients in Latvian cuisine do not match at all. But at the same time, they give food their own unique taste. For example, bread soup with dried fruits. There are a lot of soups in general, and the most diverse, for example, sweet or with dumplings. An interesting combination of potatoes with cottage cheese is very common. Traditional dishes include: putras (porridge with fish); pudinsh (potato casserole with herring); klops (steak with onion sauce).
Latvia is also famous for its cheeses. Among the most popular desserts are bubert, bread yoghurt, “Vecriga” cakes and ice cream. Latvians prefer their drinks to beverages. These are a variety of jelly, which are made not only from berries, but also from peas or oatmeal. Also worth noting is rhubarb jelly and bread kvass. From alcoholic beverages, Riga balsam, famous far beyond the country's borders, and beer, which Latvians brew in huge quantities.
