The Edit | Fika with friends

Catching up over coffee and a sweet treat is a pastime that’s loved the world over, but the Swedish custom of fika takes it to a whole different level. Used as both a noun and a verb, fika translates as ‘(to have) a coffee and cake break’, but it’s about so much more than that. It’s a chance to pause, unwind, replenish your energy, and forge deeper connections with friends, family or colleagues. In fact it’s cherished to such an extent that many companies have designated fika slots scheduled into their working day, and I’ve had meetings with Swedish clients moved after someone realised the proposed time would conflict with theirs!

It’s a ritual I’ve happily adopted myself after years of visiting Sweden, and I’ve taken to it so enthusiastically that I’ve decided to theme this month’s edition of ‘The Edit’ around it. So, here’s my pick of considered buys for enjoying fika in simple, relaxed style, including handmade tableware, recipe books, napkins and a Scandinavian-inspired coffee blend. There’s even a scented candle to help you set that all-important cosy and convivial fika mood…

1. Handmade AKU Ceramics snack bowls, £30 each, Your Kind Lifestyle
2. Menu ‘Yana’ coffee / tea brewing pot in a dark glaze (also available in a grey glaze), £63.05, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
3. Ernst checked napkins, £14.90 for a pack of two, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
4. Handmade AKU Ceramics side plate, £26, Your Kind Lifestyle
5. Smoked-wood serving board, £48, Tea + Kate
6. Hand-thrown Sophia McEvoy stoneware mug in ‘Charcoal’ (also available in ‘Fern’, ‘Smoke’ and ‘Oat’), £34, Your Kind Lifestyle
7. Menu ‘Strandgade’ carafe, £31.95, and drinking glasses (set of two), £18.30, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate links]
8. Ferm Living stoneware ‘Flow’ jam / sugar jar with spoon in black (also available in off-white and speckled yellow), £25, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
9. The Nordic Baker – Plant-Based Bakes and Seasonal Stories from a Kitchen in the Heart of Sweden recipe book by Sofia Nordgren, £20, Blackwell’s [AD – affiliate link]
10. Lind DNA ‘Nupo Curve’ recycled-leather coaster in ‘Natural’ (also available in numerous other colours), £3, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
11. The Nordic Baker recipe book by Magnus Nilsson, £34.95, Blackwell’s [AD – affiliate link]
12. Bitz stoneware milk pitcher in black (also available in off-white and grey), £15, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
13. Organic ‘Original Caf’ ground coffee (200g), £15 for two bags or £30 for four, Nørlo
14. Menu ‘New Norm’ porcelain cups in a dark glaze (also available in a red glaze), £16.80 each, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
15. Aida ‘Raw’ cake slice and fork set in black (also available in gold), £17.90, Nordic Nest [AD – affiliate link]
16. Stoneware serving platter in ‘Onyx’ (also available in ‘Slate’, ‘Pebble’ and ‘Chalk’), £42, Monoware
17. Handcrafted English birch butter knife, £14, Object Story
18. Hand-poured green tea, jasmine and mint natural-wax scented candle, £25, Maren & Wild

If you want more inspiration for fika bakes, you’ll find delicious recipes over at Nordic Kitchen Stories and in this booklet by Bristol-based Swedish baker Elin. And you can see my round-up of the best coffee makers here.

Please note this post contains affiliate links (all clearly marked), which means I will receive a small commission on any resulting sales. You won’t pay any more by clicking on these links than you would by visiting the websites directly, and it helps to support the free content I create here.

Top and bottom images by Abi Dare; all other photography courtesy of the respective brands and retailers