From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Žinčica (in Slovak) or Żętyca (in Polish; sometimes incorrectly referred to as Żentyca) is a popular drink made of sheep's milk whey. It is a by-product in the process of making the oštiepok and bundz cheeses. The name itself most probably comes from Romanian jintiţă.
Originally coming from northern slopes of the Carpathians, with time it spread across the mountain range to Tatra Mountains and then to Slovakia. It was a popular drink of mountaineers who preferred it over water during their mountain trips. Žinčica is somewhat similar to buttermilk and can have a similar laxative effect for those unaccustomed to drinking it or with lactose nutrition disability. It became popular in other parts of Poland in early 19th century as it was believed to cure several diseases. Although this popular belief has not been confirmed by modern scientists, žinčica's bacterial cultures are beneficial to the body's natural flora in the digestive tract.
