First thing’s first- “Fika” doesn’t translate directly to English very well. It can mean “coffee” or “coffee break” or “to have coffee,” but its really none of the above. Fika is a social activity more so than just drinking coffee, per say. Its an important part of the day to sit down with friends or co-workers to take a break and have some coffee (or Tea or hot chocolate!) along with sweet delicious pastries. You can’t slurp down a McDonalds coffee to go with someone while walking somewhere and call that a fika.
Yesterday I was invited to fika with two friends. The three of us found a small quaint coffee house, it was only almost noon so it was rather empty. We sat down for an hour and chatted over our hot beverages and sweets. It was nice to socialize and get out of the apartment with other people. Two of us decided on the hot chocolate (loaded with whipped cream and marshmallows) with blueberry pie (Blåbärspaj) and the third ordered a latte with a rich chocolate desert. I was preoccupied and forgot to take a photo of my fika! So, here is an accurate stock photo I found online
:
Swede’s love their food smothered in sauce or cream- Yummy, I love it! (My Pie had more cream than that by the way) How they stay so skinny compared to the obesity in America, who knows!? I will say that it probably has something to do with preservatives. Do you know how many loaves of bread I’ve had to throw out this month? I still haven’t learned that it isn’t packed with the same preservatives and can’t stay good for as long as I’m used to! There’s even less sodium preservatives in T.V dinners, which really baffled me.
Anyway, hubby came back from Denmark two days ago and greeted me with hugs, kisses and…liquor!? Yep! Booze is expensive in Sweden and a bit cheaper in Denmark (and even cheaper in Germany), so it is very common for people to buy their liquor while they are in Denmark or Germany if possible (even if it means a special trip, sometimes). To add to the train of buying liquor elsewhere, Norwegians often buy in Sweden because it is cheaper here. And no, I have no idea why the Bacardi Razz is dressed in a robe.
