A Taste of Ukraine in a Calgary Coffee Shop
A Ukrainian woman who goes by the username sheismari moved to Canada just weeks before the full-scale war began. She recently invited her Canadian friends to a Ukrainian café in Calgary, where they sampled a range of sweets, including sea buckthorn tea, an orange juice and coffee drink (known as a bambl or capuorange), and beloved Ukrainian cakes: Kyivskyi, Napoleon, and Medovyk. A video capturing their reactions went viral, racking up over 30,000 likes and more than 600,000 views.
Rating the Ukrainian Sweets
The Canadian women rated each dessert on a scale of 1 to 10. The coffee with orange juice received a negative 12 points, while one of the foreign participants gave both Kyivskyi and Napoleon a perfect 10 out of 10. Medovyk scored 42 points, and another Canadian ranked Kyivskyi cake as her top Ukrainian dessert. The experience was so positive that one of the women, Veronika, remarked:
“Ukrainian desserts are the most delicious. Abroad, that’s extremely rare.”Another Canadian, Lagertha, added:
“Cherry varenyky, green borscht, syrnyky fried in butter until crispy, holubtsi, potato and mushroom varenyky…”
One participant even declared about Medovyk: “I lose my mind over Medovyk.” Georgiy Kokosh noted that New Zealand has no Ukrainian food and expressed envy for those who can enjoy these desserts. Krystyna Ovsiienko commented: “Considering the poor quality of food and coffee abroad, they should be overjoyed to finally eat something made properly.”
The gathering took place on Sunday, July 19, 2026, and showcased how Ukrainian cuisine can bring people together, even thousands of miles from home.
This event highlights the value of cultural exchange and the bonds between nations. Ukrainian cuisine not only preserves traditions but also introduces new experiences to foreigners. The Canadians’ reactions show that Ukrainian gastronomy can create positive emotions and impressions, helping to strengthen friendly ties between peoples.
This delightful experience of tasting Ukrainian desserts in Calgary not only highlights the rich culinary traditions of Ukraine but also reflects the cultural adjustments faced by Ukrainians living abroad. For those interested in the challenges and surprises that come with adapting to a new environment, a recent article discusses the three grocery items that left a Ukrainian woman in Canada astonished. Discover more about her unique experiences here.