As we fall into autumn with the golden hues of turning leaves, rain splattered windows and the smell of pumpkin spice filling every coffee shop, now is the most wonderful time to start enjoying a little Fika!
What is Fika?
For those of you who don’t know, Fika (pronounced "fee-kah") is the simple, Swedish pastime of coffee, cake & companionship; but it’s so much more than just that.
It’s the enjoyment of togetherness found amongst colleagues, friends or loved ones; whilst allowing yourself time to pause and appreciate a slow moment.
Fika is a huge part of Swedish culture, practiced daily, in and outside the work place. It’s a very social activity and not something that can be achieved by drinking coffee at your desk. The idea of Fika is to be fully present in the moment, not thinking about the next thing or feeling guilty for taking a break, but truly enjoying the time to chat with friends and immerse yourself in a well deserved break.
Typically, Fika can take place mid morning or afternoon, or sometimes at both points in the day, lasting anywhere between 30 minutes and several hours. Fika is a proven mood booster and a great way to build strong connections and find balance in your day to day life.
Autumn & Fika
For me, autumn is the ultimate cosy season and the best time to enjoy a little fika. With the nights drawing in and the days getting colder we can often feel the downwards affect this can have on our mood, which is why making time for some truly meaningful, cosy moments is a great way to combat the seasonal blues.
There’s nothing I like more than taking a long walk through the changing landscape and finishing it off with a warm and cosy brew, relaxing in the heartwarming comfort of an autumn moment.
What to eat with Fika...
One of the best things about Fika is the delicious treats that accompany it!
Some popular Fika treats include: Kanelbullar (cinnamon buns), Vetebullar (cardamom buns) & Chokladbollar (chocolate balls).
Scandi Baking
If you’re looking to enjoy Fika at home, this wonderful little book (ScandiKitchen: Fika & Hygge), by Bronte Aurell has been my secret weapon to Scandinavian baking!
Filled with pages and pages of delicious treats, just flicking through will make your mouth water and have you grabbing for your whisk and mixing bowl, ready to host a Fika like no other!
With so many varieties of scrumptious treats it's hard to choose just one. I have by no means made my way through the entire book just yet, but from what I have baked my favourites have to be the Gingerbread biscuits and the Pepper nuts, or Pebernodder's as they say in Danish!
We’d love to see how you’re spending your Fika moments, feel free to tag us on instagram @teppi.living or sign up to our mailing list for more Scandi inspiration!