Exploring Boza: A Sweet Tradition in Macedonia
This drink is commonly available in most Macedonian sweet shops. Unlike other bozas, Macedonian boza is lighter in color and has a sweeter taste.
Boza is a refreshing drink made by fermenting wheat flour from maize or barley, sugar, and yeast. It boasts a thick consistency, a low alcohol content (around 1%), and a slightly acidic sweet flavor. Originating from Central Asia, boza gained particular popularity in the Ottoman Empire. Given its alcoholic nature, sometimes laced with opium, boza was frequently banned by the sultans.
Boza is a traditional beverage found in most Balkan countries, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and North Africa. This drink is commonly available in most Macedonian sweet shops. Unlike other bozas, Macedonian boza is lighter in color and has a sweeter taste.
Among Skopje’s residents, the most popular and well-known boza is produced by Cake Shop Apče, located on “Partisanska” Boulevard, directly adjacent to the Faculty of Architecture. There’s an urban legend that the name of the confectionery (Apče, Pill) stems from the supposed power of this boza to alleviate headaches. Other renowned confectioneries serving boza in Skopje include Sweet Shop Shar, located in the City Trade Center, and Sweet Shop Ohrid in the Old Skopje Bazaar.