Language/Finnish/Culture/Finnish-Cuisine

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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:

Joulukinkku – Christmas Ham
laatikkot – Various casseroles made with potatoes, carrots, and rutabaga
Rosolli – A beetroot salad
Lanttulaatikko – Rutabaga Casserole
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

Table of Contents - Finnish Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

Introduction to Finnish

Greetings and Introductions

Nouns and Adjectives

Numbers and Time

Verbs and Tenses

Daily Activities

Questions and Negation

Food and Dining

Prepositions and Postpositions

Travel and Transportation

Finnish Culture and Traditions

Weather and Seasons

Conjunctions and Subordinate Clauses

Family and Relationships

Finnish Literature and Music

Videos

What Do they eat, Finnish food, naturally - YouTube

Finland | Best of finnish food | Finland simple life pleasures - YouTube

Helsinki Food Adventure: First Impressions of Finnish Cuisine ...

Americans Try Finnish FOoD! - YouTube

Japanese Tries Making Traditional Finnish Cuisine - YouTube

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