Oljarna Pekarič

Oljarna Pekarič is a small oil mill in Bela Krajina, the lowland corner of southeastern Slovenia between the Gorjanci hills and the Kolpa River. The word oljarna means an oil mill, a place where seeds or fruits are pressed and the oil is bottled, and cold-pressed oils have a long and respected place in Slovene cooking. Visiting a small producer like this gives a different view of the region's food from the usual restaurant meal, since it shows how a simple ingredient is made and why small differences in raw material and pressing change the flavour.

A tasting at a small oil mill usually begins with the basics. The host explains how the oil is pressed, how the seeds or fruits are chosen and handled, why cold pressing keeps more aroma, and how storage and freshness affect the taste. Guests are then invited to taste several oils side by side, learning to notice the differences in smell, bitterness, sweetness and body. Slovene kitchens use pumpkin seed oil on salads and soups, walnut oil on bread and desserts, and other oils for dips and finishing, and a good tasting teaches how to pair them with food. Owners of small mills are often glad to talk about the work and the region.

The setting adds to the experience. Bela Krajina is a quiet region of birch woods, slow rivers, vineyards and small villages, with a distinct folk culture and a food tradition that favours simple, local produce. The region is known for its honey, wine, bread and farm products, and a visit to an oil mill fits naturally into a day that includes the cycling routes and marked hiking trails of the area, the Lahinja Landscape Park, the community vineyard cottage at Drašiči, local honey producers and the farm of Šokčev Dvor in Žuniči. Many of the producers in the region welcome visitors by arrangement, which gives the area a personal, hospitable character.

Because it is a small family business rather than a large attraction, a visit usually needs to be arranged in advance, and opening hours should be checked directly. It is easy to combine with a stay at one of the area's rural guesthouses or camps, and the roads in Bela Krajina are quiet enough for cycling.

The visit suits food lovers, curious cooks, couples and small groups, and it makes a good souvenir stop, since bottles of oil keep well and travel easily. Allow about an hour. Taste in small amounts, ask for pairing advice, and take the chance to buy directly from the producer.