Oravský korbáčik is a steamed string cheese made from cow's milk, very similar to its cousin Zázrivský korbáčik. The cheese is either smoked or unsmoked, visually striking in a unique shape of a little whip (korbáčik in Slovak).
It has been made in the Orava region in the Slovak Republic since the second half of the 19th century when it was the only source of income for the local cheese-makers. It is produced almost entirely by hand, steaming the lumps of cheese in hot water and pulling them into strings that are then plaited into whips, a labour-intensive process that requires a skill specific to the women of the region.
The texture of Oravský korbáčik is stringy, similar to pasta. The smoked varieties have a smoky scent, yellow color and are saltier than the unsmoked variety of korbáčik that is white and doesn't have a smoky scent. Smoked or not, the taste is delicately milky, savory and acidic.
This string cheese is extremely popular to bring as a gift at fairs, weddings, christenings, Christmas and other festive occasions.
