CAFE FIKA [HOW TO BREAK FOR COFFEE LIKE A SWEDE]

Fika |fee-kuh| in English means "a coffee break." The word fika can be traced back to 19th century Sweden. During that period, the Swedish word "kaffi" (coffee) was inverted to "fika" as a slang term, and since then, fika has stuck. 

For the Swedes, fika is an important ritual in their culture. It's a time to sit with family, friends or colleagues and have coffee or tea, usually with something sweet on the side. It's a chance to enjoy social connections...to relax, eat, drink and talk, while avoiding unpleasant or controversial topics like politics, finances, or religion. And for goodness' sake, turn off your phones!

Fika isn't just a coffee break, ie: grabbing a cup of coffee at the drive-thru on the way to work. It's a lifestyle practice that we could all benefit from. It is a moment to slow down and appreciate the good things in life. And you can fika any time you like! There are no set rules...except...don't rush! A Swedish fika is a relaxed affair.

The best time to fika is a personal preference for Swedes. They can meet with friends in the morning to fika at any number of cafes and bakeries around the country...take a break in the afternoon with co-workers to recharge and refresh...or come home in the evening and snuggle up in their favorite chair with a cup of coffee and a freshly baked cinnamon bun.

There is even a book called, Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break, by Anna Brones and Johanna Kindvall. It is "an illustrated lifestyle cookbook on the Swedish tradition of fika, including recipes for traditional baked goods, information and anecdotes about Swedish coffee culture, and the roots and modern incarnations of this cherished custom." It's on my list!

Remember, "You can do it alone...you can do it with friends. You can do it at home, in the park, or at work. But the essential thing is that you do it...that you make time to take a break. That's what fika is all about."