The concept of ‘fika’ is a natural part of Swedish everyday life.
Fueled by images of beautiful pastries shared on social media, the concept of Swedish ‘fika’ is gaining traction around the world. But although many people simply call it a coffee break with something sweet, it actually has much more of a cultural significance in Sweden.
To Swedes, fika is something of a ritual. It does typically involve coffee and a sweet pastry, but just as important is the decision to take a deliberate break from your day with others. It’s a chance to relax and enjoy social connection with family, friends or colleagues.
If you ask ten Swedes for a definition, you’ll likely get ten different answers. The podcast A Swedish Fika defined it as “a way of recharging your batteries to relax for a short little while, and to collect yourself to go on with your day” while Swedish food brand Himmelsö described it as “a warm, kind and lovely way of bringing people together.”
How is fika different from a coffee break?
The concept of fika is different from a normal coffee break in that it is more of a cultural tradition and an important part of daily life in Sweden.
Sweet cinnamon buns are often a part of fika.
The important part isn’t the coffee or even the sweet treat, it’s the valuable time spent connecting with others. While a traditional coffee break in an office is often an avenue for continuing a work discussion, fika is a more informal affair that may open up conversations—whether work-related or not—across departments and hierarchies.
So grabbing a coffee from the kitchen and sitting back down at your desk is most definitely not fika.
In many workplaces, there is a tradition that colleagues take it in turns to bake something for fika. While that concept is often seen in offices around the world, fika is sometimes a daily occurrence.
It’s an especially important concept for foreigners to grasp as embracing fika can give newcomers to Sweden a sense of community and belonging, things that can be otherwise hard to find in Scandinavia.
Sarah Wiggins, an American college student on a study abroad program in Stockholm, said that taking the cultural practice seriously “allowed me to slow down for a little and to really focus on building the relationships that helped to define my study abroad experience.”
What does fika consist of?
Despite what some fika cookbooks may have you believe, exactly what you eat during fika isn’t so important. It’s secondary after the socialising and companionship aspect.
Presentation and freshness of food is an important part of Swedish fika.
However, it’s typical that whatever food is enjoyed is well-presented and ideally homemade. While sweet treats are common, a small savory sandwich isn't unheard of either.
Coffee in the Nordic region is usually enjoyed strong and black. Filter coffee is preferred over an Americano, and all coffee shops will have a large pot of freshly-brewed coffee ready to go. Of course, it’s perfectly acceptable to enjoy a latte or other milky coffee, or even tea, if you prefer.
Fika around the world
The concept has lent its name to many cafes and coffee shops around the world. One example is the bar and cafe inside the Nelson Cultural Center of the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis.
While it’s easy to head into any cafe and enjoy fika, you may get the most from the experience by simply trying it at home. Set aside some deliberate time to gather with friends or family, bake something homemade and put your phones to one side.
