Fat Thursday: Nuts About Doughnuts

Wayfarers with a sweet tooth will find that they've got a treat in store this week, as Thursday 11th is Tłusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday).

Traditionally a day of indulgence at the tail-end of the pre-Lent Carnival, Fat Thursday has somehow evolved into a doughnut extravaganza. An impressive 100 million doughnuts (paczki) will be scoffed on the big day, averaging out at 2 and a half per person. Traditional families hold that chomping the doughnuts brings good luck for the rest of the year. Indeed, the more you munch, the better luck you'll have. You've never had a finer excuse to get stuck in.

First-time visitors to Krakow might try the much-loved Michalek bakery on ul. Krupnicza. Their doughnuts were the most popular in our very own tasting session, held in conjunction with our sister publication, the Krakow Post. Last but not least. remember that in Poland, doughnuts traditionally come with rose jam, or with advocat - we advise that you try both!