Exploring a country’s cuisine is an indelible part of learning its language and culture. For those of you delving into Latvian, understanding the local food and drink vocabulary will greatly enhance your cultural experience. Let’s start expanding your Latvian gastronomic vocabulary.

Ēdiens
This is the Latvian word for “food.” It encompasses anything edible and is a general term you might use to discuss food in a broad sense.
Vai tev patīk latviešu ēdiens? – Do you like Latvian food?

Dzēriens
The Latvian word for “drink” or “beverage.” Dzēriens can refer to any liquid that you can drink, including water, juice, or alcoholic beverages.
Mans mīļākais dzēriens ir svaigi spiesta apelsīnu sula. – My favorite drink is freshly squeezed orange juice.

Pirāgs
A traditional Latvian pastry usually filled with meat, cabbage, or other savory fillings.
Katru svētdienu mana vecmāmiņa gatavo gardus pirāgus. – Every Sunday my grandmother makes delicious pastries.

Rupjmaize
This term refers to Latvian dark rye bread, which is very popular and considered a staple in the Latvian diet.
Rupjmaize ir veselīgs un barojošs maizes veids. – Rye bread is a healthy and nourishing type of bread.

Siļķe
“Siļķe” is the word for herring, a fish that is commonly found in Latvian cuisine, often served pickled or smoked.
Ziemassvētkos mēs parasti ēdam marinētu siļķi. – At Christmas, we usually eat pickled herring.

Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi
This phrase describes a traditional Latvian dish of gray peas with bacon, often eaten during the winter months.
Latvijā pelēkie zirņi ar speķi tiek uzskatīti par svētku ēdienu. – In Latvia, gray peas with bacon are considered a festive dish.

Skābputra
“Skābputra” stands for sour porridge, which is made with fermented milk products and typically served cold.
Karstā vasaras dienā skābputra ir atspirdzinoša. – On a hot summer’s day, sour porridge is refreshing.

Maizes zupa
Literally translating to “bread soup,” Maizes zupa is a sweet soup made from rye bread, dried fruits, and spices.
Pēc garšīgas maltītes, maizes zupa ir lielisks deserts. – After a delicious meal, bread soup is a great dessert.

Alus
The Latvian word for “beer.” Latvia has a strong beer brewing tradition and offers a wide range of local beers.
Vasaras vakarā dzerot alu, jūs varat izbaudīt Latvijas vasaras burvību. – Drinking beer on a summer evening lets you enjoy the magic of Latvian summers.

Biezpiens
This is the Latvian term for “cottage cheese.” It’s widely used in various dishes and desserts.
Es gatavoju pankūkas ar biezpienu un ievārījumu. – I am making pancakes with cottage cheese and jam.

Kefīrs
A fermented milk drink similar to yogurt, kefīrs is a popular beverage in Latvia for its probiotic qualities.
Dzert kefīru vakariņās ir veselīgi. – It’s healthy to drink kefir for dinner.

These words should give you a solid foundation in Latvian food and drink vocabulary, opening up new dimensions in your journey to learn the Latvian language and culture. Whether dining out or cooking a Latvian recipe at home, use these words to navigate menus, recipes, or simply to impress your Latvian friends with your newfound knowledge. Labu apetīti – bon appétit!