Comments on: Viking Food – Scandinavian Cuisine

By: Jesse

Jesse — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 01:15:11 +0000

Odin told them of course…

By: Vanessa

Vanessa — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 22:31:43 +0000

Does anyone know the main reason or have a viable theory for why and how Hákarl developed? Is it the only shark available around Iceland? I’m really curious as to how the Norse figured out that the meat became less poisonous if it fermented. It seems like the tendency would be to stay away from rotten food but, like with most delicacies, I’m sure there is an interesting story behind Hákarl.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 06:41:09 +0000

To Christine. Quote: “No. One may call Irish, English, and Scottish traditional cuisine (the worst in the world) “isolated”. But traditional Scandinavian is as sophisticated as any French or Chinese.” British and Scandanavian food of the time were pretty much the same and to call our cuisine the worst in the world and isolated when we had just as many influences as Scandinavian is ignorant. The myth of British food being the worst came from the last century as industrialisation was replacing traditional methods of food gathering and cooking, especially during the 2 world wars. Anglo Saxon, Celtic and medevil British cuisine was influenced from the same trade routes, as well as Mediterranean and middle east.

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:54:16 +0000

I have a problem with this article using the word “isolation” to describe Nordic cuisine. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Speaking as one whose Norwegian mother cooked and baked native dishes, the wealth of middle eastern spices and ingredients is overwhelming. Cinnimon and cardamom are two examples which define Scandinavian baking, yet are never grown regionally.
My theory is that the sophisticated Scandinavian cuisine is a result of the fact that these nations have NOT been isolated. Viking raiders/traders regularly visited the Meditteranean area. They were hired to guard the Byzantine Emperor (Verangian Guards). They settled/explored Russia. They regularly brought back exotic spices and ingredients to their wives. Even a look at traditional Norwegian jewelry will show the Middle eastern influence.The Nordic cuisine is based on the “jet setters” of the Dark and Middle ages.
No. One may call Irish, English, and Scottish traditional cuisine (the worst in the world) “isolated”. But traditional Scandinavian is as sophisticated as any French or Chinese.