Language/Finnish/Culture/Finnish-Cuisine

Finnish Culture → Finnish Traditions and Customs → Finnish Cuisine

As a Finnish language teacher, I believe that one of the best ways to learn a language is to immerse oneself in the culture surrounding it. In this lesson, we will dive into the world of Finnish cuisine, exploring traditional dishes, ingredients, and customs. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of Finnish food, as well as some new vocabulary to add to your language skills.

Finnish Cuisine

Finnish cuisine is known for its hearty and simple dishes, featuring fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The harsh climate and long winters have shaped Finnish cuisine, with an emphasis on preserving and pickling food for the long cold months.

Finnish meals usually consist of three courses: soup, main course, and dessert. Bread and butter are a common accompaniment to meals, as well as fermented milk products like viili and piimä.

Finnish cuisine varies greatly depending on the region, and there are many regional specialties to try. For example, fish dishes are popular in coastal regions, while reindeer meat features in the north. The flatbread known as ruisleipä is a staple across the country, and traditional sweet treats like pulla and laskiaispulla are enjoyed throughout the year.

Traditional Finnish Dishes

Here are some of the most traditional Finnish dishes to try:

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
Karjalanpaisti	[ˈkɑrjɑlɑnpɑisti]	Karelian Stew
Kalakukko	[ˈkɑlɑkukko]	Fish Pie
Graavilohi	[ˈɡrɑːʋilo̞hi]	Gravlax
Siskonmakkarakeitto	[ˈsisko̞nˌmɑkkɑrɑˈkei̯tːo̞]	Sausage Soup
Riisipuuro	[ˈriːsiˌpuːro]	Rice Porridge
Lihapullat	[ˈlihɑpullet]	Meatballs

Finnish Christmas Food

Christmas is a big holiday in Finland, and traditional Christmas dishes are an important part of the celebrations. Here are some examples:

1. Joulukinkku – Christmas Ham
2. laatikkot – Various casseroles made with potatoes, carrots, and rutabaga
3. Rosolli – A beetroot salad
4. Lanttulaatikko – Rutabaga Casserole
5. Piparkakut – Gingerbread cookies

Finnish Beverages

Finland has a rich coffee culture, with some of the highest coffee consumption per capita in the world. However, tea is also popular, with traditional blends like sahrami and mesiangervo. Alcoholic beverages are also enjoyed in Finland, with local beers and ciders, as well as the national spirits, vodka and Koskenkorva.

Finnish Table Manners

In addition to the food itself, Finnish table manners are also important. Some things to keep in mind:

• Meals are often served buffet-style, with guests helping themselves.
• It is considered polite to finish everything on your plate.
• It is customary to thank the host or cook after the meal.
• When toasting with a beverage, it is customary to look everyone in the eye before drinking.

Now that you know a little bit about Finnish cuisine, I encourage you to try some traditional Finnish dishes and perhaps even host a Finnish-themed dinner party with your friends.

Sources

• Finnish cuisine - Wikipedia
• Discover the essentials of Finnish food culture | Visit Finland
• The Best Traditional Finnish Foods
• Finnish food culture

Table of Contents - Finnish Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Finnish

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

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Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

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Nouns and Adjectives

• Noun Cases
• Adjective Agreement

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Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Telling Time

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Leisure

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Questions and Negation

• Forming Questions
• Negation

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Food and Dining

• Food Vocabulary
• Dining Out

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Prepositions and Postpositions

• Prepositions
• Postpositions

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

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Finnish Culture and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Finnish Sauna

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Weather and Seasons

• Weather Vocabulary
• Seasons

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Conjunctions and Subordinate Clauses

• Conjunctions
• Subordinate Clauses

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Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

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Finnish Literature and Music

• Finnish Literature
• Finnish Music

Related Lessons

• Finnish Society and Values
• Finnish Holidays and Festivals
• Finnish Film Industry
• Finnish Mythology and Legends
• Finnish Folk Music and Dance
• Finnish Contemporary Literature
• Finnish Sauna
• Finland Timeline
• Finnish Music and Arts