Taste of Norway

Kind of a Blog about gifts from Norway and ... 🤷🏻‍♀️

Experience the wonder of traveling to Norway.

For all who like to travel and visit new places, there is something truly transformative about exploring the world around us. It opens our minds, expands our perspectives, and allows us to immerse ourselves in diverse cultures and breathtaking landscapes. Whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or simply a change of scenery, traveling offers endless opportunities for discovery and personal growth.

Traveling is not only to see, but also to taste. Each country offers its specialty and it would be a shame not to taste it.

What prevents you from packing your bags and embark on a journey of a lifetime to taste all beauties and goodies Norway has to offer?

Below you can find some tips of the "typical" goodies and souvenirs. At least Norwegians think that they are special 😀.

Drag the mouse over the image and read.

Chocolate was an important source of energy since the polar hero Amundsen reached the South Pole.
KVIKK LUNSJ is a bar that consists of four rectangel wafers covered by chocolate. It became a traditional "mountain fellow". It follows us on any trip throughout the year.

BRUNOST alias Brown cheese is a traditional Norwegian cheese from the 1800s. In fact, it is not a real cheese! It is made from the waste product from the cheese production - whey. When the milk mixture is added to the rennet, the milk coagulates and whey is what is left. Whey consists of lactose, whey protein (milk protein) and water. It is boiled to get rid of the excess water. The final product is the brown cheese that is a source of iodine, calcium and vitamine B12. It has a slightly caramelized taste and is delicious on crispbread with jam. Taste and enjoy!

The history of KNEKKEBRØD alias a Crispbread goes back to the 6th century. It was originally made from wholemeal rye flour, salt and water. Nowadays, wheat flour, sourdough and sesame seeds are also used. Knekkebrød became popular throughout Scandinavia as it was easy to keep for a long time.
Find your favorite type among the many varieties that can be found in a grocery store. You're going to love it!

WAFFLES are a beloved and traditional Norwegian treat. They are often heart-shaped and have a distinctive texture that is crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Norwegian waffles are typically served with a variety of toppings, with sour cream and strawberry jam being popular choices. Some people also enjoy them with brown cheese, a uniquely Norwegian cheese with a sweet and caramel-like flavor.

AKEVITT alias Aquavit, is a Scandinavian spirit that has been produced since the 15th century. It is made from grains and potatoes, with the addition of herbs and spices. The dominant flavor comes from caraway and/or dill. Other added spices can be cardamom, cumin, anise or coriander. It contains approximately 40% alcohol by volume (min. 37.5% according to EU requirements). It is used as an aperitif on festive occasions such as Christmas or midsummer celebrations. In Norway, it is matured in oak barrels and served at room temperature.

Souvenirs

When traveling to a new country, it's always nice to bring home a souvenir that captures the essence of your visit. Norway offers a wide range of unique and memorable souvenirs, from hand-knit sweaters and woolen mittens to beautifully crafted wooden trolls and traditional Sami knives. These items not only make great gifts for loved ones, but they also serve as lasting reminders of the incredible experiences and cultural richness that Norway has to offer. Don't forget to check out local markets and boutique shops to find the perfect treasure to take home with you!

Ostehøvel alias cheese slicer is a Norwegian patent. It was invented by Thor Bjørklund, a carpenter from Lillehammer in 1925. He didn't like that it was so hard to cut a nice thin slice of cheese with a knife. You can find many different sizes and shapes. Have you found yours yet?

Did you find your troll yet? Troll is a fairy tale figure with roots in Norwegian mythology. Both appearance and characteristics vary, but trolls are usually both dangerous and stupid. They can be giants, as well as small dwarfs and other underground mythical creatures. The trolls often live in inaccessible and untouched nature, for example in caves in the mountains, in forests and seas. Why not take one home.

Wool sweater from the traditional Norwegian brand Dale of Norway is 100% wool and 100% genuine.
You can also read about their long knitting history that goes back to 1879. Factory that survived several devastating fires and two wars, and how they engaged housewives from all over Norway to hand-knit their patterns, till 1967 when the machines took over. Exciting reading! ... and even better when wearing one!

Wool socks with the Norwegian pattern is another typical item you might consider to take with you home. Either for yourself or as a gift. Fine merino non-itchy wool transports moisture. The socks fit well on the foot and are nice and warm on cold winter days, but they can also be a pleasant companion for a summer hiking trip.

Reflection on weather

Norway is known for its extreme seasons, with a long winter boasting plenty of snow and several months of cold weather. However, don't fret, as the short but sweet summer arrives to provide a brief respite. Whether you enjoy cozying up by the fireplace during the colder months or exploring the stunning outdoor scenery in the summer, Norway offers a unique and unforgettable experience throughout the year.

Norwegian weather varies significantly depending on the region and the time of year. Norway has a temperate coastal climate in the west, influenced by the warm North Atlantic Drift, and a colder, more continental climate in the interior and northern parts of the country.

When we say that Norway is a very long country, we are talking about 1770 km. Heinåli Hytta is located in roughly one third of it. There is still a long way to go to the north point itself. Norwegian winter is considered the "dark season", but I'd say it's not as dramatic here. The day is shorter, no doubt about it. Daylight comes at its darkest after 9:00 a.m. and remains until 3:00 p.m. Then it gets dark again.
What do we do in the long evenings? There are a lot of sports-minded people here who take a headlamp and go for a cross-country run or a walk. And after such an activity, there can be nothing better than coming home to a burning fireplace and a cup of hot chocolate or tea.
Winter time is also a time for knitting. In Åndalsnes there is a wool factory Rauma Ullvarefabrikk with a long history and tradition that dates back to 1927. You will hardly find a woman here who has not tried knitting or crocheting. And coming to such a garn shop is paradise. And what do men do in the long winter days? Most of them are handy and spend time in their workshops repairing or creating.
Due to the high mountains around us, we lose sight of the sun from late November to mid January. Then it reappears between peaks for half a minute. This half minute is a special moment when we all run out of the house and enjoy it intensely. It is a promising moment of spring that will come sooner or later. As the days get longer, the temperature rises and we start to smell spring in the air, it starts to snow. It could be in May. If we're lucky, it only snows for a day or two, but it can snow for a whole week. Never stop believing. Spring is definitely around the corner...

Summer usually comes after spring, if there is any spring. Sometimes we jump straight from winter to summer. But ... how do we recognize it's summer?

The temperature rarely rises above thirty degrees Celsius here. Temperatures around 20C, which might seem relatively "low" to many, mean summer to us. People jump into fjords and rivers and swim. Everyone goes out for a picnic and a barbecue.

Summer is the tourist season. This means that in the short summer period we welcome most of the tourists who come to visit Norway in the whole year.

It's time for outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, kayaking, fishing, etc. Since the weather is very unstable here, we are outside most of the time when it's not raining. But also when it is raining, because otehrwise it might happen that we wouldn't get out for a few days...
Welcome to Norway! 🇳🇴