Whipped Porridge and Squeaky Cheese. How excited should you be to try Finnish foods?

Have you ever tried the squeaky "breadcheese" or whipped porridge?  Finnish food culture is built on connection to nature, history, and society. Identity and culture, and one might think a splash of humor, also play a key role in the foods we consume. In Finland, there are clear regional differences and specialties in food cultures. Meet the national treasures of Finnish cuisine served on stylish dishes made by our ceramics and glass students.

As the culinary culture and heritage of Finland is rich and vibrant, so is the glass and ceramics design heritage. Our talented students bring this heritage to life through their exquisite works, which are presented alongside the delicious Finnish dishes. It is like finding the perfect match on Tinder, bringing together the best of both worlds with love. 

Karjalanpiirakka

This savory rye crusted creamy rice filled delicacy is often considered a Finnish food, but it comes from Karelia, now part of Russia. The history of Finland and Russia is of significant importance in this situation as these areas were lost in the turmoils of the second World War. Finland may have lost the Karelia region, but we sure kept the pastry. 

Karjalanpiirakka holds a similar status in the everyday life of the Finns as the croissant does for the French. They can be found in any supermarket, gas station canteen, artisan bakery and café at any time of the day. But naturally, the ones made by the grandmamas are the real thing. It is the national snack (accompanied with a banana, do not ask why) but it is served with great pride to important guests and at the fanciest celebrations, like at Christmas and wedding receptions. The go-to topping for this national treasure is egg butter, which is made from, well you guessed right; boiled eggs and butter.  

Vispipuuro

It literally translates as the whipped porridge. But unlike the possible aggression needed to prepare it the taste and consistency are as sweet and light as the summer night’s dream.  

This food is prepared from semolina and the superfood freely available in the vast forests of Finland, lingonberries. The soft and airy composition is produced by whisking and whipping the boiled and cooled porridge.  

This lovely treat is best served with milk and sugar on the side, or even heavy cream or vanilla sauce. Naughty but, ah so nice. 

Salmiakki

This salty licorice, or salmiac, is maybe the most opinion dividing dish in the Finnish cuisine. It is made from ammonium chloride with a pinch of liquorice root. At first, the color is white, but it is dyed black with medical grade coal. Why black? Our best guess is because it is always in fashion. 

It can be as potent as the strongest chili peppers and it is hard to escape, as you can find it everywhere from ice cream, chocolate, yogurt, and cheese to death defyingly strong doses that the Finns call candy. Even condoms can be found in the taste of salmiac! 

Salmiac started out as a cough medicine made by the pharmacists but even today it can be used for medicinal purposes to elevate low blood pressure. On the other hand, eating too much of it can make your heart race.  

Ruisleipä

The people have spoken. Rye bread has been voted the national food of Finland by the citizens.  

Rye bread is part of the everyday life of many Finns topped with, for example, cheese, cutlets, and vegetables. Rye bread can be found in several different types, for example, sourdough, post-oven bread, tin loaf, toast, and hole bread, not forgetting the crisp bread. 

Finland consumes the most rye in the entire world and the belief in the power rye is cemented in the popular proverb “Ruista ranteessa”. It translates to having rye in your wrists and is synonymous to having physical strength. 

Leipäjuusto & lakkahillo

Bread cheese, also known as the squeaky cheese, can also be called, surprisingly perhaps, cheese bread. The name could be a nod to rye bread, as the bread cheese usually comes in large round discs similar in size and shape to the beloved rye bread. 

Bread cheese is an essential food especially in Ostrobothnia, Kainuu and Lapland. It can be consumed cold and dipped in coffee. But one can also bake it in the oven and serve it warm, a bit like camembert cheese. Bread cheese is typically paired and enjoyed with cloudberry jam as a rare and special treat.  

Did you know that there are many names for cloudberry in Finland? In addition to the cloudberry, this gold of the swamps can be called “hilla,” “lakka,” “suomuurain,” and “valokki,” as well as “lintti.” 

And did you wonder why it is also called squeaky cheese? It is because the cheese has a dense consistency that rubs on your teeth when you chew it making cute little squeaks as you go along. This trait is much appreciated by the young kids getting acquainted with this delicacy. 

Finnish food culture indeed offers a variety of unique and intriguing culinary experiences. Despite their sometimes-unusual appearance, they open up a window to the heart and soul the Finns and surprise them with their delightful flavors.  

Trying these foods is a fantastic way to experience Finnish culture and its unique culinary traditions. Finally, to answer the question how excited should you be to taste the Finnish foods? The answer is: Yes, you should be extremely interested.