In Slovenian, it’s called a mlekomat.  It’s a large vending machine that dispenses fresh milk from a nearby alpine dairy farm.  The milk, which is non-homogenized and non-pasteurized, is guaranteed to be no more than 24 hours old.  The contraption from which the milk is dispensed is disinfected after each use with a special UV antibacterial lamp.

You can buy the milk in various quantities and there are even plastic bottles for sale if you didn’t bring your own container.

There was a young lady on my tour from Singapore who told me she had tried the milk a day earlier and loved it.  Slovenians seem to love it, too.  The machines have been so popular, they can now be found throughout the country.

I confess that I didn’t try the milk.  I’m not much of a milk drinker, anyway, and I was thirsty for a different type of beverage that is also quite popular and inexpensive in Eastern Europe – one made from hops and barley.  And you don’t have to pay extra for the bottle.

Copyright © Dan Fellner 2013