Mämmi

Mämmi ( Swedish: Memma ) is a baked Malzpudding which is eaten cold in Finland for Lent.

Traditionally, you eat Mämmi on Good Friday, because this day was formerly regarded as too sacred to prepare hot meals. For this reason, the entire Lent was eaten cold. Originally, the custom comes from the south-western part of Finland; He was first mentioned in the 17th century.

Because of its rye taste Mämmi similar in taste to the Guinness beer. Many Finns eat Mämmi as a traditional dish with cream, sugar and vanilla to round out the distinct rye flavor.

Mämmi is made ​​of water, malt, rye flour, salt, sugar syrup and bitter orange. The mixture is baked in the oven for a few hours and then still have some days are cool and pull. Every year about two million kilos Mämmi are sold in Finland, the largest part of the brand Kymppi. About one-fifth is sold outside the Easter season.

The largest factory for Mämmi located in Toijala in western Finland. In the production of this slurry that prides itself in the city, that in Toijala hosted the World Cup in Mämmi - eating contest in 2005. In addition, a Finnish Mämmigesellschaft ( Suomen Mämmiseura ), which collects recipes around Mämmi exists.

Others

Often Finns tell the story of how the Americans were aware of Mämmi. This should have been the end of World War II, sent as President Harry S. Truman around Easter time a delegation to Finland to explore the situation. The delegation is said to have believed that the people of Finland have been eating their own feces. Then should be started immediately food supplies to help Finland.

Traditionally Mämmi was stored in small boxes made of birch bark, transported and served; today is only a birch bark pattern printed on the packaging box.

Quotes

" It tastes sweet and bitter at the same time. He sticks to the palate, I was the only one of us who like to Mämmi liked. But have eaten it all, he is one of Easter. "- Marjaleena Lembcke