Estonia may not seem like it has an intricate cuisine if you’re not familiar with its food culture. Regardless, Estonia is a great place to visit, right? Food is the easiest way to learn more about this country. Are you on the lookout for the best Estonian food to try on your next trip to Estonia? Get to know more about the intricacies of Estonian cuisine. Let’s make the best experience for you learning Estonian in today’s exclusive guide!
Estonian Food: 10 Dishes That You Don’t Want To Miss Out
From simple dishes to small pastries and meals that are for festive occasions, if you want a list of the meals that should be on your next Estonian food tour, then you might want to keep on reading! After all, what better way to learn about a country and its language than through its range of delicacies, right?
Kartulisalat
Known to many as the Estonian potato salad, this is one of Estonia’s staple dishes. Seasoned with mayonnaise and sour cream, this is your go-to healthy snack! If you want to add more good stuff, like cucumber, carrots, and hard-boiled eggs, or even pair it with apples, you may do so. Always remember that it is just a matter of preference!
Rye Bread
Another Estonian staple, this bread is deeply rooted in their culture. Rye bread is also seen as their national bread with how it has existed even way back. You can enjoy this food in several ways, like making bread soup or pairing it with delicious meat but always remember that it is best served warm and the crust is crisped to perfection. It is one food that you can pair with any meal when you are visiting Estonia.
Kohupiimakreem
If you are looking for the perfect Estonian dessert, Kohupiimakreem is an essential food to try out. This is an Estonian milk curd dessert that is very creamy and appetizing and would make you want to sit down and eat it for hours. It is made up of curd, which is from sugar and milk.
This makes Kohupiimakreem very tasty and even fun to eat. Not only that, but this is best paired with seasonal berries to contrast the sweetness of the dessert. If you are looking for something that isn’t savory, you should try this! It is the perfect curd snack for you and your taste buds.
Mulgi Puder
Because part of Estonian food culture is for the lovers of meat and potatoes, their dishes mainly revolve around just that. Mulgi Puder originated from Southern Estonia and is one of the Traditional Estonian dishes still popular today. It is boiled potatoes that are then made to be mashed potatoes which are then incorporated with barley. It is also usually served with rye bread to complement the dish. Usually served as the main dish, you can also pair this with different types of meat that fit your liking.
Marzipan
Deemed to be one of the oldest forms of Estonian desserts, this confectionery comprises almonds and sugar. Rich in almond flavor, this dessert is famous in Estonia and even in Germany. Not only is this very easy to make, but it comes in very handy, especially on special occasions as well.
Kiluvõileib
Kiluvõileib is also known to many as a sprat sandwich. Made up of rye bread and marinated sprat fillet from the Baltic sea, this dish is a nutritious sandwich that is open-faced. The bread topped off with butter, boiled egg, seasoning, fresh herbs, and onions are very popular and easy to make. If you like trying out different dishes that are filled with mouth-watering taste, this is a must-try!
Kama
Popular in neighboring countries like Finland and Russia, Kama is your perfect dish for the summer or regular occasions. This convenient-to-bring-anywhere food is a finely milled flour texture. It is made up of various grains that range from wheat, rye, oats, and peas. This popular dish from Estonian can also be incorporated with various other dishes but can also be eaten as is. Perfect as one of your go-to meals, this is also best paired with berries or any add-on that you prefer.
Kohuke
Another type of Estonian dessert, this crowd favorite, is made up of pressed curd cheese coated with chocolate or other flavors. This snack, also considered part of dairy products, is popular amongst children and is accessible anywhere. Definitely everyone’s favorite because of how it is utterly delicious! If you are looking for a must-try dessert in Estonia aside from Marzipan or Kohupiimakreem, this is something that you don’t want to miss.
Vana Tallinn
You don’t want to miss this! This is one of Estonia’s trademark liqueurs. Made from fine and natural ingredients, the liqueur tastes bitter yet addicting. It is filled with different aromas that can stimulate your sense and even make the drink feel addicting. If you find yourself traveling in Estonia, this drink is a must-try too!
Verivorst
This is Estonia’s national dish. The ingredients are usually used to fill in the cleaned pig intestines. Typically, these ingredients are lamb’s blood, chopped onions, salt, pepper, caraway to taste, and barley. Also called the blood sausages, this is one of the perfect meals to eat during the Estonian Christmas season.
The Estonian Cuisine And Culture
Since this country doesn’t have a big population, preserving its castles and buildings made this place endearing and very picturesque. However, the country still has a lot to offer.
Situated between Finland, Russia, and other Nordic regions, the country is a hotspot not just for scenic places that make it beautiful but also for culturally rich meals.
Estonia is home to various traditional dishes that pay tribute to traditional Estonian cuisine. It is also greatly influenced by its neighboring countries like Germany and Russia. Their dishes are made from fresh produce and local ingredients and go through thorough processes that make these Estonian dishes very hearty and delicious.
In Estonia’s culture, most Estonians lean more towards meat and potatoes. Having said that, it is inevitable that the majority of their food makes use of these ingredients. If not these ingredients, they love to eat cold cuts and bread. Porridges are also a staple when it comes to their local food. If they can, it is one dish that they always consume along with other Estonian food like Black Bread, Smoked Meat, and Estonian Cheese.
Traditional Estonian food is very diverse and is the root of the modern Estonian kitchen and many restaurants that continue to thrive and influence other countries, especially in Eastern European countries.
Yum, Right? Learn More Estonian With Ling!
If reading this post has convinced you to visit Estonian during the holidays or just try out an Estonian dish in your city, what’s next? Besides getting acquainted with the food of Estonia, you might want to consider learning its language! It wouldn’t hurt to know a thing or two, right? Aside from knowing about Estonia’s side dish or their popular meat, you might want to learn about Estonian. Just a couple minutes of your day, and you just become a language-savvy person if you give it time.
Good thing the Ling app is here to cater to your language needs. From various languages, not just Estonian, this app is your best friend! It provides a variety of activities and quizzes that enhance your vocabulary of the language you are learning and sharpen your skills. Not only that, it is very convenient and easy to use. You can bring it anywhere you go! With just a few clicks or taps, you have stepped into a new world of learning languages and something that is out of your comfort zone. What are you waiting for?
Check out the Ling app now! Also, if you enjoyed this post, feel free to check out our other Estonian-related articles, like the basic Estonian phrases and self-introduction in Estonian.
