Cytryeowe (Lemon) Ptasie Mleczko by E. Wedel
Best Supermarket Snacks from Poland
Experience a classic taste of Poland with a lemony-citrus twist! Ptasie mleczko have been a staple of Polish sweets since 1936. Similar to a marshmallow, but denser and creamier, ptasie mleczko were invited by Jan Wedel, the father of E. Wedel himself! The New York Times Magazine Candy Issue even names ptasie mleczko as the Polish selection for “…candies that capture the spirit of the countries they come from.”
These little Polish treats consist of a lemon-flavored milky marshmallow surrounded by a thin layer of dark chocolate. Take a bite, and the first thing you’ll notice is the combination of a citrus flavor and a soft, spongy inside. ‘Cytryeowe’ means lemon, but felt it was more broadly citrus than specifically lemon. Each ptasie mleczko piece is about 2 bites worth. The chocolate on the outside is fine, but does not stand out. The marshmallow’s texture and citrusy inside are what you will remember!
My box had 18 pieces, and they are not individually wrapped. The packaging on this snack caught my eye – bright colors and fun shapes really stand out. A box of E. Wedel’s ptasie mleczko would make a nice gift!
Ptasie Mleczko - 'Bird's Milk' - Unique Polish Snacks
Even cooler: the birds on the design are not random! ‘Ptasie mleczko’ translates to ‘bird’s milk’. Jan Wedel, the inventor of this Polish treat, first tried marshmallows on a trip to France in the 1930’s. So amazed by the confection, he called it ‘milk of the birds’. This reference to an ancient Greek saying coined by Aristophanes suggests that marshmallows were so incredible that it is unimaginable. This was Jan’s inspiration to create ptasie mleczko.
History of Ptasie Mleczko & the E. Wedel Company
The E. Wedel company has been producing candies since 1851, and is known as the national chocolate brand of Poland! The company was started by Karol Wedel, who passed it to his son Emil as a wedding gift. Emil’s signature is still the logo until today! The company grew, and by the 1930’s the factory had moved to Warsaw. And in 1936 E. Wedel first started making milk-based marshmallows used in ptasie mleczko.
The company has had an interesting history since then. During WW2, the Wedel family refused to cooperate with the Nazi Regime. Jan Wedel, Emil’s son, was sent to and detained in a transit camp. Jan survived, but following the end of the war the company was taken over by the state. It wasn’t until the economy of Poland opened in the 1990s, that E. Wedel was once again privately owned. Now it’s owned by LOTTE, the Korean/Japanese powerhouse that also produces many other well-known snacks such as Toppo & Pepero.
Looking for a fun gift idea for your travel-loving, foodie friend or family member? Consider making a DIY International Snack Box!
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