Top 5 Iceland Food & Drink: A Delicious Review
Okay, so you’re thinking about going to Iceland, right? Very exciting! You are picturing dramatic scenery, probably. Blue lagoons? You bet. You might also be asking: What is there to munch on? Let’s talk eats and treats, shall we? Iceland food can seem quite unfamiliar if you’re just glancing at things, is that right? So, I want to share my top five food and drink picks, offering a taste of Iceland’s distinct flavors. I’m hoping this helps you plan some tasty adventures as you visit this remarkable island.
1. Skyr: Iceland’s Yogurt Superstar
Okay, so first on our list is Skyr! Yes, it does sound like something from a sci-fi show, too. Actually, it’s basically Icelandic yogurt. That is, it’s like nothing you’ve tasted before, more or less. This stuff has been an element of Icelandic diets for like, a thousand years almost. What sets it apart? Well, in a way it is ridiculously thick. It’s creamy, and has quite a tangy taste to it too, by the way. It’s also packed full of protein! Locals consume this tasty dairy creation every which way. For a burst of energy in the morning you could mix it with some berries. Oh, or for an afternoon boost. Skyr’s uses just keep on giving so it seems!
Skyr may appear to be like your normal grocery-store yogurt, really, yet that is not the case. Very, very far from it! Skyr uses different cultures during the fermenting stage, for one thing. Another is that it strains much, so much longer, apparently. The result ends up much more concentrated and velvety, is that it? Very Icelandic! It also might mean that the flavors are a little sharper than yogurt you are perhaps more accustomed to too. You know, so I would encourage you to play around a little! Sample the many brands of plain Skyr. See what is the taste you prefer a bit! Then consider things such as fruit preserves. Even tasty granola to have with it!
2. Plokkfiskur: Comfort Food, Icelandic Style
Want something very yummy and warm? Have some Plokkfiskur. Okay, so the name… Well, it may not roll off the tongue. This is still one of those eats you’ll not forget quickly though. Plokkfiskur may be something of an Icelandic fish stew, so to speak, more or less. Typically made using cod or haddock. It’s cooked with the most basic ingredients, apparently: onions, potatoes and butter, very simply. Think creamy mashed potatoes, really, yet with chunks of scrumptious white fish stirred right on into that. What’s not to adore? Traditionally, Icelanders were all about taking full use of exactly what was around. That is how Plokkfiskur came about, as I was saying! So it’s hearty. Plus simple, in a way, in order to provide for complete and utter satisfaction from just minimal effort, really.
What is nice with this particular stew is, really, that it shows up seemingly just everywhere throughout the island, actually. That’s everything from quite elegant eateries straight on to the to local neighborhood restaurants you would typically not give a passing thought to, you see. Most of those cooks will possess their own subtle versions. The addition of curry might occur. Others prefer the extra burst of spice a handful of black pepper could possibly bring, too it’s almost. Plokkfiskur ends up becoming even much more fulfilling throughout the chiller times of winter and spring, anyway. Don’t miss it if you are travelling!
3. Lamb Hot Dogs (Pylsur): A Street Food Staple
When you need a bite quickly on the street. Do grab one of those pylsur. Street Food is extremely amazing in this area! Which would be like the Icelandic hot dog. Even Bill Clinton stopped off in order to taste this tasty thing too it’s almost. You will find these almost at every single gas station and almost any local spot. So, they come pretty darn cheaply and quickly to acquire.
However precisely what differentiates these hotdogs with their own unique status and stature, actually? That is actually largely because they are mostly made out of lamb. It results in the really delightfully more slightly richer flavor compared against the standard beef options you get at every sporting area, isn’t it? Moreover, pylsur usually includes toppings that may additionally give them rather, almost totally one-of-a-kind Icelandic taste, you know. These toppings consist in fried onion. Also crisp raw onion! And furthermore a generous squirt from the brownish mustard that Icelandic peoples very much prefer as well too, by the way.
4. Icelandic Rye Bread (Rúgbrauð): Baked by Geothermal Heat
Okay so, ever wonder about geothermal energy utilized during baking? Seems weird perhaps? Although the inhabitants of Iceland are very experienced at capitalizing quite a bit in just about everything. Including producing incredible, truly wonderful foods. Take Rugbraud to act as example. That becomes a very blackish rye bread, right? It’s actually typically steamed under earth by just using warmth coming via natural geo-thermal openings, actually. Traditionally every bread might be prepared just inside pots submerged nearby geothermal warm springs. It can also be left there to actually steam sometimes up to that is a twenty-four-hour period.
That results from having a very distinct and relatively, nearly quite sweetly and rather heavy bread product that might make the terrific complement for all types buttering in addition smoked fish plus additionally cheeses usually, you know. Visit several Icelandic eateries that include using traditional “geo thermal” breads as it were and you might simply witness, or maybe get an opportunity to find out how this kind typically of exceptional preparing approach just actually performs out yourself yourself also. The outcomes commonly turns totally scrumptious to actually actually have with certain soups maybe along some specific types relating Icelandic Seafood excessively furthermore in addition.
5. Brennivín: The Signature Spirit of Iceland
So here is a strong one. So Brennivin literally translates literally as “burning wine.” Its nickname might very well include simply simply “Black Death”. Usually that drink becomes produced by starting from fermented grains actually maybe potatoes, more or less! Further subsequently is typically flavored alongside caraway in order to achieve rather pretty certain somewhat dried licorice similar scent to assist in simply providing a relatively clean clear relatively simply palate experience also really. Brennivin normally forms quite usually generally integrated during several certain conventional Icelandic foods also. Particularly through the holiday called Thorrablot, is that right? If daring enough try that alongside certain conventional delicacy like hakarl (aka spoiled shark to make sure.)
Very several Icelanders typically like experiencing tiny tiny shots concerning Brennivin once feasting through certain richer foods in the hope to somewhat help digestive functions generally basically. While maybe acquired at essentially several watering-holes alongside most simply local simply food-shops throughout very Iceland alone I usually recommend perhaps taking into consideration seeking perhaps sampling some certain artisan regional editions whenever very quite perhaps doable maybe even also. Generally to aid completely experience certain rather relatively distinctive subtleties inside manufacturing techniques anyway usually!