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Nordic Countries in General        which over years have formed a very unique   of will.” Largely due terrain combined long
               The word “Nordic” simply describes   culture of people that have not only adapted   with winters have created in its people a
          the geographical and cultural region in the   but thrived in region of the world. Just to   resilient this attitude that would cultivate
          Northern Europe and the North Atlantic.   clarify, you might have heard that some   tenacity, independence and individual-
          The term is derived consequentially from   people also call this region, Scandinavia.   ity to adapt comfortably in this region.
          the local term Norden, used in the North   However, it is commonly mistakenly used,   With statistics to show, Nordic countries
          Germanic languages, which literally means   Scandinavia is only properly called for three   have one of the lowest obesity rates, a
          "The North(ern lands)”. Its countries in-  countries including Denmark, Norway, and   population that seems to consist entirely
          clude: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway,   Sweden.                    of tall, athletic and gorgeous. Their food
          and Sweden including their associated terri-     The term called “Nordic Race” which   is healthy, with lots of roots, berries, nuts,
          tories (Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and the   was described by a British psychologist,   whole grains and crudités (raw vegetables).
          Åland Islands). The Nordic region not only   William McDougall, “We can distinguish   Despite these assumptions uniformity about
          share the area but also their cultures, as  they   a race of northerly distribution and origin,   the culture, many of the creative individu-
          have similarities in their way of life, history,   characterized physically by fair color of hair   als, with a people who consume so much
          the use of languages, and social structure.   and skin and eyes, by tall stature and doli-  coffee, a culture tenacity to the quality
          The region also shares similar terrain but   chocephaly (this is: long shape of head),   and creative individuality. The region has
          most importantly a similar climate. Long   and mentally by great independence of   contributed greatly in the coffee business
          winters and even shorter summers all of   character, individual initiative and tenacity   world wide.


          Famous from Nordic Countries


                                             Coffee Cultures
                                                   There is an air of sophistication   during the cold outside, can be filled all
                                             that comes from this region, as they are on   day with friends, colleagues, or family
                                             top of the list for being happy and artistic.   members discussing the weather, travel,
                                             Another list they dominate is in annual   weekend plans, and family life.
                                             coffee consumption - the Nordics love      It was told that people use to drink
                                             their coffee! The Fins usually tops this list,   so much alcohol during the days in the past
                                             followed by Swedes and Norwegians, with   until one day the government decided to
                                             the Danes falling in the top 10. With this   increase the alcohol tax rate. Coffee be-
                                             regions having long, very long, winters,   came a natural alternative. Being invited
                                             these countries have developed their ways   into a Swedish house, you will definitely
                                             to cope with the cold by having small bites   be offered a cup of coffee along side with
                                             of and warm drinks. Coffee, goes without   a cake or some small bites. As a must-do,
                                             saying is a staple. Our CTI team went to   workers in Sweden and Finland are even
                                             visit World Coffee Event, in Sweden to   guaranteed breaks, which often at the time
                                             find out more.                      of unofficial fika which is at 10 am and 3
                                                   Swedish Coffee Culture called   pm. Fika is an essential to the Swedish
                                             “Fika” (pronounced fee-ka) or coffee   hospitality and social life.
                                             break. The word “fika” comes from “kaffi"      While the Swedes have their fika,
                                             (a reverse fika—>kaffi) or some say from   the Danes have their “hygge”(pronounced
                                             “fik" which means café. The Swedes sees   hue-gah), which simply means cozy! It
                                             it as an opportunity to bond and catch   is  a  word  that  describe  a  mental  and
                                             up on anything. A classic Swedish cup of   physical space where the hassle outside is
                                             coffee is mostly the drip filter brewed cof-  shut down and left with only the cosiness,
                                             fee serving alongside with sugar cookies,   security, familiarity, fellowship, simple-
                                             “kanelbulle” which is a cinnamon flavored   ness, and living well mood. However,
                                             buns, and open-faced sandwiches. At the   hygge is mostly inspired by the long dark
                                             coffee shops, people use it as a commu-  winters that they have to face. The Dan-
                                             nity gathering place. It is rare to observe   ish developed this culture to cope with its
                                             a genuine conversation like how we use   pale depressing winters. The word Hygge
                                             to enjoy it before technologies came. In   simply invokes the feeling of a cozy,
                                             Nordic countries, a café, a warm shelter   comfy, homey, and loving places to be in.
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