News from the North
Exhibitors from the Nordic countries are bringing a regional lemon alternative, traditional grains and cultural heritage to Grüne Woche 2025.
Moose sausage from Sweden. Photo: Messe Berlin
Janne and Marianne Lehtinen from Korvalaanen Oy were almost late for Grüne Woche. The car of the couple from Ilmajoki in western Finland broke down just before Berlin. The farmers are all the more pleased to have made it in time for their first trade fair appearance in Berlin. They have their black oat flakes in their luggage. ‘We grow this ancient grain ourselves in our fields and have our own mill,’ explains Janne Lehtinen at his stand in Hall 8.2, emphasising the benefits: The black oat flakes are rich in minerals and fibre. They need a little more liquid to soak than the light-coloured ones, but can otherwise be prepared in exactly the same way. ‘They also taste good in muesli,’ he assures us.
Quinces as a regional lemon substitute
Alexander Winqvist is also going back to an old variety. Because the flavour reminded him of his childhood in his grandparents' garden in Germany, the young Swede created the quince spritzer OmiOpi. But the sour fruit is more than just a refreshing ingredient for a fruit fizzy drink. ‘It is a regional lemon substitute,’ he is convinced. The ornamental quince in particular, which grows on shrubs, has comparable properties for baking and cooking. In contrast to citrus fruits, it doesn't have to be transported over long distances and is well suited to organic cultivation. ‘I recommend freezing some of the fruit after harvesting, then you can use it again and again,’ he says.
Indigenous people from the far north at Grüne Woche - the Sámi
Not all Sámi are the same: the diversity of the indigenous indigenous people, who are at home in Norway, Sweden, Finland and even Russia, is at the centre of this year's trade fair appearance in Hall 8.2. Different dialects and customs characterise the subgroups as well as their diverse habitats. In a lavvu, the traditional tent reminiscent of a tepee, representatives of the ethnic group welcome visitors to the fair. Skins lie on the floor, antlers adorn the entrance, to which the red, yellow, blue and green flag is also attached. ‘Some of the reindeer herders still use these tents today to follow their animals,’ explains Antje Schlecht-Valio, dressed in traditional garb. The community is increasingly opening up to tourists. So anyone planning a holiday in the Arctic Circle can be fascinated by their culture.