Fika has a long history in Sweden, and the tradition remains alive. But while the ritual is broad enough to include many different interpretations, it is neither a ‘coffee break’, nor ‘afternoon tea.’  
To “have fika” does not mean grabbing a quick coffee at your desk or in an office kitchen. Fika lingers because it means pleasurable conversation with others. Our writer Erika sits down to learn about a part of the coffee drinking culture in Sweden and fika. 

From instant to fresh ground, to soaking and rubbing, there are ample ways to incorporate coffee into your meals.

Coffee seems like a simple beverage, something you wouldn't need a recipe for. How hard can it be to combine two ingredients—ground coffee and water—to create something delicious? 

But it's because of coffee's simple ingredient list that nuance, technique, and preparation methods become vital factors in determining how your final brew tastes. Changing one seemingly small thing, like grind size or water temperature, can drastically affect how your coffee tastes.