Although I have not tried some of the more novel cuisine enjoyed in Finland, such as blood sausage (it’s really made with blood!) or reindeer jerky, it is easy to see how such foods became common here. Reindeer live well in the arctic climate and have been raised there for many years by the native people. Reindeer soup, jerky and steak are common delicacies in Finland, although it can be pricey. Blood sausage is an effort to use the whole animal for nutritious and flavorful food, usually served with Lingonberry sauce. Food allergies are highly respected here in Finland, and although I am lactose intolerant, I can eat most foods here. Finally, coffee, porridge with salted berries, delicious pastries and salmon soup are common foods here.
One food almost all Finns love is salmiakki - salty licorice. Black licorice is typically flavored with very little sugar and anise. Salmiakki is a Finnish twist; they add ammonium chloride, a salt that may have been used in cough syrup. I’m not sure how cough syrup became a flavor for candy, but if you come to Finland, most Finns understand it is not for everyone! They will, however, be very eager to see you try it! You cannot truly visit Finland without having a cup of coffee and pulla buns, a sauna and salmiakki.
