The Czech Out Aisle: Rohlík

Rohlík: King of the bread Aisle.

For Westerners accustomed to packaged breads and glass enclosed pastries, the bread aisle at most Czech supermarkets is sure to surprise. Open baskets are filled with all sorts of yeasty delicacies, and people come through in droves, filling up plastic bags to the brim.

The rohlík (roll, pronounced "row-hlick") is the Czech/Slovak sweetheart of the bread section, and at less than 1 Koruna per kilo, it is clearly a family staple. At home, the rohlík may be sliced open and filled with margarine, ham and cheese, or the accompaniment to soups and salads, especially the classic Vlašský Salát, a very mayonnaisey potato and salami salad.

But never have I seen a nation consume rolls-on-the go as I have seen the Czechs do. From teething kids in strollers, to ankle biters and their hungry parents, Czechs wander the street or flood the metro, rohlík in hand, tearing into the plain, white flour delight with happy abandon. And because they are such a well loved snack, you can find rohlík in all places, like the Vietnamese corner store, the train station sausage stand, or sometimes even the tobbacconist.

Whole grain versions of rohlík do exist, as do other flavors, like garlic or sesame, but the white flour classic prevails, and for pennies, you can stave off your hunger for at least an hour, or until the craving for more Czech bread returns.