Žinčica

Žinčica or Żętyca (sometimes incorrectly referred to as Żentyca) is popular drink made of sheep's milk whey. It is a by-product in the process of making oscypek and bundz cheeses.

Originally comming from northern slopes of the Carpathians, with time it spread across the mountain range to Tatra Mountains and then Slovakia. It was a popular drink of the mountaneers who frequently preferred it over water during their mountain trips. It is somehow similar to buttermilk and can have a similar laxative effect for those unaccustomed to drinking it or with lactose nutrition disability. It became popular in other parts of Poland in early 19th century as it was believed it was a cure for several diseases. This fact was not confirmed by modern scientists.

The name itself most probably comes from Romanian jintiţă.