Original Article:
July 27, 2015
novitine.com
Bulgarian archaeologists recently discovered an 11th century fragment of a distillation vessel used for the production of the country’s traditional fruit brandy, which is known as rakia.
The fragment was uncovered during the excavation works, which are being conducted by the National Historical Museum (NIM) at the medieval Lyutitsa fortress.
The fortress is situated on a hill above the town of Ivaylovgrad and the find was discovered by the team of archaeologist Filip Petrunov, press statement of NIM informs.
This is the second vessel for the distillation of rakia to be uncovered at the fortress and the third one in Bulgaria.The first vessel at Lyutitsa was found in…
Source: Bulgarian Archaeologists Discover 11th Century Rakia Distillation Vessel | Ancientfoods
First Night History 
On October 10, 2011, Bulgaria’s daily newspaper 24 Часа published an article entitled “They Found Proof That We Thought Up Rakiya,” in which is detailed the Old Bulgarian inscription “I drank rakiya during the feast” on a small 14th-century bowl fragment found at Veliko Turnovo. Naturally this was thought to go some way in forwarding the country’s efforts to register rakiya as a Bulgarian national brand with the European Commission. Reflecting both the excitement of the discovery and the urgency of establishing once and for all rakiya’s Bulgarian provenance, one professor was quoted as saying “Photos, together with the expert opinion of the National History Museum, will be sent with lightening speed…in order to nail the rakiya, otherwise the Albanians will go and take it from us.”
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How interesting. Is rakyia related raki in Greece and Turkey and end the age-old argument between the two countries as to who created it first?!
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I believe rakiya and raki are related in that they are distilled alcoholic beverages, though I’m no expert. So far as I’m aware, however, Bulgarian rakiya is always a fruit-derived brandy while raki is flavored with anise. Given that raki is a Turkish word (albeit originating in Arabic), they might have this one over the Greeks. Rakiya, on the other hand, has more in common with the Serbian slivovitz.
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Thank you. I like the sound of the fruit-based Bulgarian one rather more than the others!
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I fancy some fruit brandy now! (I have actually had some Rakia in Bulgaria. It’s strong stuff…)
Best wishes, Pete.
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As, of course, is the Raki or Tsikoudia in Greece. The police say it’s the reason for most of the crimes over here.
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