Discover Finland's Unique Flavours: 10 Must-Try Culinary Experiences
Finland offers a rich array of unique flavours, from savoury delicacies to sweet treats. The four distinctive seasons play a significant role in the Northern Hemisphere, and that also extends to the variety of foods. No matter what time of the year you’re visiting Finland, and whether you're a foodie seeking your next culinary adventure or simply curious about Northern flavours, these must-try flavour experiences are for you.
Starting off with a sweet classic, Finnish cinnamon rolls, known as korvapuusti, are delicious spiral-shaped pastries filled with a delightful mixture of sugar, cinnamon, and butter, with a hint of cardamom for a unique flavour. Cinnamon rolls are typically enjoyed with a cup of coffee or tea, offering a comforting treat all year round.
Meet Finnish squeaky cheese, or leipäjuusto, which directly translates to "bread cheese." This unique cheese's distinctive texture creates a delightful squeaking sound against your teeth. Often eaten warm with a dollop of cloudberry jam or fresh cloudberries, leipäjuusto is a staple in Finnish cuisine.
Continuing with a true classic, karjalanpiirakka, or Karelian pie, is a traditional Finnish dish originating from the Karelia region. This cherished pastry combines a simple yet flavourful rice porridge filling with a thin rye crust. To elevate the experience, Karelian pies are traditionally served with egg butter—a mixture of hard-boiled eggs and butter.
On top of cloudberries, Finnish nature offers varied options for fresh berries straight from the fields and forests. Throughout summer towards autumn, local produce such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are widely available. It is common in Finland to go berry picking yourself or visit local market squares for a quicker option.
Another natural treat from the forests of Finland is the wide selection of mushrooms, including chantarelle, porcini, and funnel chanterelle, each with its own distinctive flavour. Wild mushroom foraging is popular under Everyone's Right, but numerous restaurants serve them for a hassle-free experience.
As the land of a thousand lakes, Finland’s fresh waters are filled with various fish like vendace, pikeperch, pike, and perch. A must-try dish is the Finnish creamy salmon soup, often served with sweet archipelago bread, a traditional Finnish rye bread.
Hunting is a traditional hobby in Finland, meaning that different game meats like moose, grouse, and mallards are widely used across the country. Restaurants such as Nokka and Saaga in Helsinki serve high-quality dishes featuring game meat, Finnish wild fish, mushrooms, and berries.
Before finishing up with sweeter recommendations, near the city of Tampere, you can find Finnish blood sausage, or mustamakkara. This sausage, made from pork, pork blood, and rye flour, is traditionally served hot with lingonberry jam.
Finnish candy offers a vibrant exploration of flavours, from salty liquorice to creamy chocolate. Salmiakki, the bold Finnish salty liquorice, comes in various forms, challenging your taste buds. Renowned brands like Fazer and Brunberg provide a wide range of delicious candies and chocolates.
