The history of fika
The story of fika is closely tied to Sweden’s history with coffee, which was introduced into the country in the late 17th century. However, it was primarily only a drink for the very wealthy. Back then, coffee was something of a luxury – half a kilo of coffee was equivalent to a year’s salary for a farm worker!
However, coffee began to spread in popularity throughout the country – in part because it was banned no less than five times between the 18th and 19th centuries. This was due to fears around its addictiveness, and a general impression that it was frivolous for the population to spend money on foreign, imported products. Unfortunately for the King and the politicans who implemented these bans, it had the opposite effect. Coffee and Sweden are a great example of people really wanting what they can’t have.
In the 19th century, coffee became more affordable, and its popularity increased further, regardless of class or rank. At the same time, Swiss migrants opened up Schweizerier (a style of bakery). As a result, Swedes started to enjoy drinking coffee alongside something sweet. This trend spread like wildfire, particularly at home. Whilst men more frequently visited coffee shops, it was unseemly for them to gorge on lots of cake. However, there was no such rule for women! It was a popular way for women to show off their skills as a good hostess by having coffee and cake parties at home…and the more cake, the better!
Kaffi to fika
The word fika itself comes from what Swedes refer to as back-street slang. In the 19th century, people used the words ‘kaffe’ and ‘kaffi’ interchangably for the word ‘coffee’. Overtime, the word kaffi split into two syllables, and then reversed. Eventually, it dropped the second ‘f’ to become the word ‘fika’ we know today. Kaffe is now the Swedish word for coffee, but some places still spell it as ‘kaffi’.
Seven types of cake
The trend of something sweet alongside your coffee cemented itself Swedish culture by the publication of the hugely influential Sju Sorters Kakor in 1945 to celebrate the end of rationing.
Its title translates to ‘Seven types of cake’, and is the best selling cookbook of all time in Sweden still to this day. The title is based on the recommendation of seven cakes being ideal for your fika party. If you serve more than seven, you’re a snob, or a show-off. But, if you serve fewer than seven, you’re stingy…
It doesn’t mean you have to have seven types of cake, of course. But maybe you could keep it in mind… you know, for that fika where you go all out. Just remember to send us an invite!
