Finland

Norway, Sweden, and Russia share borders with Finland and have had an effect on Finnish culture and cuisine. Sweden ruled Finland for more that 600 years while Russian Czars ruled for 100 years. One of the most sparsely populated countries in Europe, Finland became independent in 1917 after the Russian Revolution.

Although one third of its land lies above the Arctic Circle, the Gulf Stream moderates summer temperatures. During cold months, gratins and stews are popular and served with flatbreads and crispbreads. Lingonberries and cloudberries are locally grown fruits. Lapland, the northern part of the country, has influenced the cuisine with reindeer stew, fresh salmon and even bear.