Fika, a moment to slow down and enjoy the small things in life
We’re about to discuss five different ways to a proper fika. It might be a good idea to settle what a fika really is.
Fika has become a social institution of sorts in Sweden. It’s essentially referring to taking a coffee break, but like many other Nordic expressions it has evolved to mean more than just that.
Nowadays most swedes would say that the hype around fika is real. So what is the concept of fika, really?
There are multiple different ways to enjoy a fika, and we´ll go through five of them in this post. This will establish a foundation for you to build on to create your very own way of enjoying the small things in life, the Swedish way.
- At work
- During vacation
- The old-fashioned way
- In nature
- By yourself
1 – Fika at work
This might be the most common way of fika. Most workplaces in Sweden has not only one but two fika breaks throughout the day.
The golden rule is to sit down with something to drink, coffee or tea preferably, and something sweet or savoury to eat. Usually the savory would be for the morning fika and the sweet saved for the afternoon.
Another thing that is incredibly important is to skip talking about work. Usually this is the time to talk about your weekend plans or whereabouts, something from the news or just talking about the fika itself.
When you want to implement this in your life, make sure to not sit by the computer, find somewhere relaxed to sit, enjoy your coffee and talk to your colleagues about something completely different than work for fifteen minutes. I guarantee that this gives new energy to work more efficiently.
2 – Fika during vacation
Some people does not do much else than fika in the days and barbecue in the evenings during their vacation. But what differs a “work fika” from a “vacay” version?
First, the time. There is no set time limit for your summer/vacation fika. However, it is still a short break from whatever you were doing so do not sit for ages. Yet again, this could be something warm to drink but it might as well be soft drinks and biscuits, such as elder flower soft drink and vanilla dreams.
Second, the people. You are probably in another setting and now enjoying your time off with your family and friends. Many swedes, if not most, have at least four weeks of leave so this gives for a lot of breaks with the people you love.
Third, the place. This might be anywhere. If you find yourself hanging out with a swede in the south of Europe, in South East Asia, Africa or anywhere else, you will notice they make sure to have a fika break to relax and reload. During the summers many go to their summer cottages and have their fika on the kitchen sofa or out in the garden, maybe surrounded by lilacs.
To recreate this vacation indulgence for yourself, try to make sure you have some sweet biscuits or cookies, a good coffee and some relaxed friends to hang out with, talking about everything and nothing in between.
3 – Fika the old-fashioned way
This calls for seven types sweets and is sometimes referred to as Kaffekalas, or coffee party. This is when you try to find your old grandmothers china, dust it off, make super hot coffe and make sure that the sweets, the sponge cake and the whipped cream and strawberry cake are in order for your visitors.
The holy grail of Kaffekalas is the preparation itself. The host will be baking a lot, but many times the guests bring something to the gathering as well. The seven different sweets consists of biscuits, cookies, cinnamon or cardamon buns, Swiss roll and a sponge cake. Of course also big cake of some sort, like Prinsesstårta, the green one covered in a thin layer of marzipan with a cream, custard and jam filling.
My mum use to make this kaffekalas into a fun thing for us, forcing all of us to wear a hat and making sure we are at least six attending the festivities. Talking about enjoying the small things in life, who thought you could make it a party just around the coffee break itself?
4 – Fika in nature
If you have not tried Kokkaffe before, this is the perfect time. Go check that post out to find out how we make it.
This is all about resting. Let things take their time. Do not rush your outdoor fika. Let your coffee take its time to brew, pay attention to the birds chirping or the mosquitoes buzzing or the wind in the trees or the waves rolling in. Take your matsäck, your packed fika essentials, and be thankful for the moment to enjoy.
The packed goodies might be an ostmacka, a loaf with a nice semi aged cheese sliced the Scandi way with an osthyvel, a cheese slicer. You probably bring some milk chocolate with you. Marie biscuits and chocolate cookies are in for the win as well.
5 – Fika by yourself
On the contrary of what this might sound like, a lot of people enjoy their fika by themselves as well. This gives time for reflection and you get to decide how long your break is without anyone else interfering. For me working a lot from home this is one of my favourite parts of the day. I am a bit conservative, so most of the time I read the paper, solve crosswords or just look on to the garden while I have my fika. And yes, I am in my twenties still.
The key to enjoy a fika by yourself is to make sure you have that perfect treat to look forward to. Make it your own self care ceremony and take time to break and pause, drink your coffee in silence and think about all the good in the world. Or solve those problems you have been putting off.
Conclusion
The essence of fika is: having a cup of coffee and a sweet or savoury treat with colleagues, friends, family or yourself. Having a short break from whatever you were doing to enjoy the little things in life. A Swedish social institution.
How do you enjoy your fika?
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