Scandinavian trends are all the rage, from IKEA to Scandinavian sweater prints set to hit stores this fall, to the success of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, we’re beginning to see this trend trickle from design, to fashion and even food.
Another Swedish trend coming to the U.S… Fika, a Swedish social institution that allows Swedes to take true coffee breaks throughout the day (not just grabbing a coffee to go and drinking it at their desk). Swedes actually slow down, sit and savor a rich cup of coffee, a sweet snack and the company of friends, twice a day, every day. Gevalia Kaffe, a Swedish heritage coffee new to U.S. retail stores, is the preferred brand in Sweden and an official coffee of the Swedish Royal Court (see more info below).
How do you master the art of creating your own fika stateside? Here are some tips:
· Silence the cell phone, set the timer for 15 minutes and take a break with a friend
· Choose the right brew, like a delicious cup of Gevalia Kaffe (see more below), a Swedish heritage coffee now available in retail stores nationwide
· Do what the Swedes do and bake a simple decadent dessert like Kanelbullar (Swedish Cinnamon Buns) or even something as simple as a Pepparakakor (Swedish Ginger Snaps) – if you’re not up to baking, any sweet treat will do!
· If you want to go all out, decorate your space with a nice place setting, use Swedish-designed mugs and label the desserts in Swedish making it feel authentic and festive
The product: A new speciality coffee has arrived from Kraft Foods - Genalia. Hve you tried it yet? They have many varieties for your enjoyment. It will make having a cup of coffee a little more enjoyable. Here's a little more about it:
What sets Gevalia apart from other premium coffees?
· For more than 150 years, the Swedes have been perfecting Gevalia coffee. Gevalia roasts its beans with care and the result is an exceptional taste, cup after cup.
· In Sweden, where the citizens drink more coffee than almost anywhere else in the world, Gevalia is their preferred brand.
· Previously available online only, Gevalia is available for the first time in select stores in 10 premium varieties:
o Traditional Roast, Traditional Roast Whole Bean, House Blend, House Blend Decaf, French Roast, French Roast Whole Bean, Colombia, Espresso Roast, Vanilla and Chocolate Mocha.
What we thought:
I'm not a big coffee drinker myself, so I enlisted my husband's help for this one. He used it in the coffee maker and thought it was nice. Honestly he said it wasn't anything fabulous, but still it was a good cup of coffee. It's something that he could use every day.
Now that it's summertime, iced coffee is all the rage. On a hot, sweaty day it's much better to have something cool to drink instead of hot. Here are some ideas that you might like for that.
Coffee shop iced coffee actually costs more than regular – add that to having to brave summer’s heat and humidity to get it and it can really put a damper on your summer coffee routine. Instead, consider making iced at home!
Here are five tips and tricks to chill out and perk up your coffee this summer (and we’re not just talking brewing coffee and adding ice):
1. Brew the Perfect Gevalia Iced Coffee: Use 12 slightly rounded Tbsp. of Gevalia ground coffee in coffee maker and fill to the 8 cup level. Brew. Refrigerate. Serve over ice. Makes 8 servings. The best Gevalia roasts to use when brewing iced coffee are House Blend, French Roast and Espresso Roast. (images available)
2. How to Sweeten Iced Coffee: The answer is simple syrup! Just mix ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in small saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Refrigerate in tightly covered container up to 1 week. Make it even cooler by addingfrozen raspberries!
3. Cold Coffee Recipes: Have even more fun by whipping a delicious iced coffee recipe like a Lemon-Ginger Iced Coffee or a Whipaccino to switch up your coffee routine. Click here for these recipes and more.
4. How to Avoid Watery Iced Coffee: Don't just pour hot coffee over ice. Instead, make coffee ice cubes. Just pour coffee into ice cube trays. Freeze and use in place of regular ice cubes.
5. Add Summery Flavors: Vanilla, orange, coconut and more – your favorite flavor extract (¼ tsp per serving) will dissolve quickly in hot coffee. Refrigerate. Stir and serve over ice.
Where to buy: You can find Gevalia coffee in grocery stores everywhere now. It comes in many varieties that you will enjoy.
How to connect: You can learn more about Gevalia coffee and get lots of great coffee ideas to start your own Fika, see them on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/GevaliaCoffee.
*Disclaimer: I received a sample of Gevalia coffee from Kraft Foods to review. All opinions are my own.*
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