An introduction to salty liquorice, an ‘acquired taste' that is nevertheless hugely popular in the Nordic region. Plus, read on for our verdict on the best ones to try. Liquorice in itself is not uncontroversial. Typically, people either hate it or love it. But someone, somewhere, decided liquorice would be better if it first hit you with a wall of bitter saltiness. When we say ‘somewhere', we mean in Northern Europe. Liquorice, both in its traditional and its salty variants, is most popular in countries like the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, as well as in Northern Germany ..read more

Norwegian waffles are a must-have snack when visiting Norway. Here’s everything you need to know about this traditional treat. If you ever visited Norway, you almost certainly came across Norwegian waffles at some point during your travels. This seemingly ever-present treat is simple to make and can be enjoyed with a variety of toppings. Norwegian waffles served in the traditional heart shape. Photo: Daniel Albert. So whether or not you have tasted Norwegian waffles before, grab your apron and join us as we explore the world of Norwegian waffles, or “vafler” as we say in Norway. These heart-sh ..read more

A must-have drink on a cold winter night, Gløgg is a traditional hot Scandinavian drink. Here’s what you need to know about gløgg. Made from red wine, spices, and fruit and served hot, gløgg is a Norwegian mulled wine that is commonly enjoyed in the run-up to Christmas. With an origin that can be traced back to medieval times, gløgg is enjoyed across the Nordic region. Mugs of gløgg with pepperkaker and Scandinavian saffron buns. Often served with thin ginger biscuits or other sweet snacks, gløgg is a staple at holiday markets but it’s also a popular drink to make and enjoy at home. While very ..read more

Norway's much-loved Røros Smør is now available in selected parts of the United States. Norwegian Americans rejoice! Norway's best butter is coming to a store near you. In its 20th anniversary year, the dairy Rørosmeieriet has struck an export deal to make its butter available in more than 60 American stores. Røros Smør in its American packaging. Photo: Rørosmeieriet. Rørosmeieriet delivers milk, cream, sour cream, butter, sour milk, fresh cheese and yoghurt all over Norway. But the American dream will begin with its two signature butter products, unsalted and salted. Focusing on Norwegian Ame ..read more

Learn about the humble matpakke, one of the most important Norwegian traditions that you’ll see every weekday. Matpakke is one of those Norwegian words that’s tricky to translate. Broadly, the word means ‘packed lunch': any type of prepared meal you bring with you to work, school, or on a hike. An example matpakke. Photo: David Nikel / Life in Norway. But the word also has a more traditional definition that speaks of a specific kind of packed lunch. It’s this second meaning of the word that we’ll now explore. A standard matpakke Your everyday, “traditional” matpakke is usually composed of brea ..read more

Everything you ever needed to know about one of Norway’s most important foods, Norwegian salmon. What’s the most important fish in Norway? If you answered cod or herring you’re partly right. Cod and herring both play a massive role in the economy of Norway. But in terms of exports, one fish dwarfs them all: salmon. So how does this prized fish make its way from the rivers and seas of Norway onto dinner plates around the globe? Let’s take the plunge and find out! Norwegians and fishing As you probably already know, the Norse people have been fishing for centuries. Being a maritime nation, with ..read more

The full story of how Norway ran out of butter one Christmas, and how it captured the imagination of the world's media. Christmas is fast approaching. It remains to be seen what impact the global health crisis will have on celebrations this year. But it’s important to remember that you don’t need one of those to ruin Christmas. Sometimes all you need is butter. Or rather… a lack of butter! I Can’t Believe There’s No Butter! If you’re outside Norway, you might remember the Norwegian butter crisis as an amusing footnote on the news. It was covered by everyone from Fox News to Stephen Colbert, u ..read more

An everyday Norwegian word, pålegg describes the toppings and spreads that go on to open sandwiches and packed lunches. I’ve lived in Norway long enough now to understand the term pålegg (toppings Norwegians like put on a single slice of bread), but why is it such a big thing here? Let's explore the word and its relationship with the famous matpakke. If you’ve ever lived in or visited Norway, then you’re probably aware of the term pålegg. It's a word that translated into English literally means “in addition to” or “toppings”. In the Norwegian language, a common understanding of pålegg is ..read more

From a traditional homemade staple to a quick on-the-go snack from a gas station or even a fancy dish at a wedding, the Norwegian lefse has a long history. Here's what you need to know about this classic of Norway cuisine. When I first moved to Norway, it wasn't long before I encountered the lefse. It's hard to avoid, especially when driving around the country. What is lefse? This flexible food is a staple of traditional Norwegian households, cafes and even ferries up and down the country. Certain types are also popular in the USA. In Norway, the lefse is sweet or savoury, thick or thin, can ..read more

The sale of alcohol is subject to strict government regulations. And then there's the tax, and the duty. Here’s what you need to know about buying alcohol in Norway. It's a mistake every new arrival to Norway makes at least a few times before it becomes a habit. You want to buy a couple beers from the supermarket at 6.15pm on a Saturday night to celebrate your football team's win? You can't. Furthermore, you can't do so until Monday morning! Buying alcohol in Norway Even when you can buy beer from a supermarket, the options are limited. Unless you go to a bar, buying any kind of alcohol in No ..read more