Are you an adventurous foodie? Or someone who loves trying new things? While travel may still be restricted, it is fun to ‘travel’ to different countries by trying their cuisines in your kitchen or area restaurants.
Scandinavia consists of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and Finland. When most people hear Scandinavia, the first thought that crosses their mind is the imagery of snowy fields, windy shores, and Viking culture. Of course, this is a stereotypical exaggeration since the Vikings are long gone. However, one element stands true: the sea is a pillar of Scandinavian life. It provides food, energy, aiding the economy, and facilitating transport and merchandise.
According to statistical surveys, seafood, mainly fish, makes up most Scandinavians’ daily meals. For example, in this survey, around 25% of the Swedish population states that they consume seafood at least twice a week. However, Nordic cuisine is much richer and more diverse. If you are curious about what Nordic cuisine consists of here is an overview.
One of the world’s healthiest cuisines
Nordic people have a preference for simplicity, and you can find this in their cuisine. The main ingredients usually consist of fish, nuts, dairy products, berries, and many fruits and vegetables. Other kinds of meat, such as red meat, are rarely consumed, which also applies to animal fats.
When it comes to sweets, Nordic desserts are relatively low in sugar. Instead, pastries are very popular and are frequently made with fruits and jams. Also, sugary drinks are not frequently consumed. They are replaced with tea, dry sherry, beer, or aquavit (an alcoholic drink made from grain or mashed potatoes).
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Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Nordic countries, such as Norway, follow the standard rule of three meals per day, but with a slight twist. Breakfast usually consists of oatmeal porridge, eggs, bread, fish, fruits, and vegetables.
Instead of a hearty and heavy meal for lunch, they prefer quick snacks like sandwiches. Their dinner is the main course of the day. For dinner, Scandinavians prefer meat or fish combined with potatoes and vegetables.
Of course, meals differ from one Nordic region to another, but you can check more detailed sources if you are curious. Here you can read all about Nordic cuisine and get to learn about some awesome travel destinations as well.
Coffee, coffee, and more coffee
Even though Nordic people don’t enjoy sugary beverages as much as the rest of Europe does, they still love their coffee. In 2021 surveys on coffee consumption around the world, Finland and Norway took the first and the second spot on the chart. On average, a Finnish person drinks almost four cups of coffee a day. In Finland, coffee is so valued that two 10-minute coffee breaks are mandatory by law. I can’t even imagine that much caffeine in my system!
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Nordic Kitchen Manifesto
The Nordic Kitchen Manifesto is a movement created in 2004 to reinvent traditional Nordic Nordic cuisine focusing on health, sustainability, ethics, and quality. The Manifesto states that the time has come for Nordic cooks to create a new kind of kitchen, to compete with the best kitchens in the world.
The main goal of the Manifesto is to create a cuisine that combines traditional Nordic ideas with ones from around the world. It is also to promote well-being and local products, and to create meals that reflect the seasonal changes of the region.
Nordic cuisine is truly fascinating. With its new outlook on sustainability and health, it’s no wonder so many have come to appreciate it. Is Nordic cuisine something you have tried or plan to try?
