Which Baltic country has the best food?

[poiuytrewq0987]

Discuss.

[Talvi]

I have heard bad stories about Lithuanian food.

[Äike]

Estonian:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Mustamakkara1.jpg/800px-Mustamakkara1.jpg

http://www.google.ee/url?source=imglanding&ct=img&q=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_CjviwknQH2o/TLg8fULA0QI/AAAAAAAAA14/P4prTNSsGtY/s400/IMGP3249.JPG&sa=X&ei=QLhTT8qrOob14QSu-PmtDQ&ved=0CAkQ8wc&usg=AFQjCNEXHkXrSeuXUuNA12b0Lkk5hucNAw

Estonian cuisine (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estonian_cuisine) has many similarities with German, Scandinavian and Russian cuisines.

[Magyar the Conqueror]

None of those countries are known for their exceptional cuisine....

[Talvi]

None of those countries are known for their exceptional cuisine....

People dont know a lot of awesome things in this world. Doesnt mean those things arent awesome.


Most people on this board seem to find Turkish food a delight while I find it absolutely horrendous.

[Waidewut]

Cmon Eesti people, you should had restrained yourselves from voting.
And Valga Estonians disagree with the general opinions here. :)

[Peyrol]

Never eaten baltic or estonian food...but definitely would be a good experience. I like try new foods.

[Magyar the Conqueror]

People dont know a lot of awesome things in this world. Doesnt mean those things arent awesome.


Most people on this board seem to find Turkish food a delight while I find it absolutely horrendous.

You are right.
I mean, if somebody was to ask me "Name a Lithuanian dish" I wouldn't really know what to say.

I think Balts and Estonians should post pictures of their dishes to give people an idea.

I heard horrible things about Finnish food, and I am not sure how similar Estonian food is to it.

[EWtt]

Cmon Eesti people, you should had restrained yourselves from voting.

Nah, Estonian cuisine is the perfect combination of Finnic, Scandinavian, Baltic, Russian and German cuisines. :p


And Valga Estonians disagree with the general opinions here. :)

Why would they disagree? Because they buy cheaper stuff from the Latvian side of the border?

[Waidewut]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4213211307_8eb021d45a.jpg
There isn't a more Latvian dish than gray peas with bacon.

[Waidewut]

Why would they disagree? Because they buy cheaper stuff from the Latvian side of the border?

I think there is a reason why every Estonian knows what's "saldējums" and "kārums". You see I have relatives in Valka and according to them, Estonians buy stuff in Latvia because of larger variety and suppose better quality, especially of dairy products.

[Äike]

I think there is a reason why every Estonian knows what's "saldējums" and "kārums".

I had to use Google to find out what those 2 things are. :icon_redface:


You see I have relatives in Valka and according to them, Estonians buy stuff in Latvia because of larger variety and suppose better quality, especially of dairy products.

The quality of Estonian food is very high. Estonians actually prefer Estonian food products to all other foreign products, because of the superior quality. Estonian-made food products are also more expensive than Polish, Spanish or Latvian products because of this.

Even before world war 2, Estonian food was known all over Europe. Estonia exported large quantities of food products to the United Kingdom back then and "made in Estonia" was a sign of good quality.

[Waidewut]

I had to use Google to find out what those 2 things are. :icon_redface:
Shame on you Eesti poiss!



The quality of Estonian food is very high. Estonians actually prefer Estonian food products to all other foreign products, because of the superior quality. Estonian-made food products are also more expensive than Polish, Spanish or Latvian products because of this.

Even before world war 2, Estonian food was known all over Europe. Estonia exported large quantities of food products to the United Kingdom back then and "made in Estonia" was a sign of good quality.
Estonia can't be compared with Latvia in pork and butter export before WW2 :coffee:

[Magyar the Conqueror]

Who is stronger, Karl's dad or Waidewut's dad?

[Talvi]

I think there is a reason why every Estonian knows what's "saldējums" and "kārums". You see I have relatives in Valka and according to them, Estonians buy stuff in Latvia because of larger variety and suppose better quality, especially of dairy products.

I know saldejums but Ive never eaten it in Latvia and Im sure most Estonians havent.

Also I do not like karums at all. I remember when Santas elves brought me karums when I was a kid and I was horrified.

Also, Valga is a bit of a shabby place... and they have a lot of Russians there, too.

[EWtt]

I think there is a reason why every Estonian knows what's "saldējums" and "kārums".

I guess you mean Southern Estonians. :P

That "saldejums" thing is a bit of a humorous saying. Karums is alright, but I do prefer Estonian ones.


You see I have relatives in Valka and according to them, Estonians buy stuff in Latvia because of larger variety and suppose better quality, especially of dairy products.

I know a few people from Valga, they tend to buy a number of products from Latvia, because they happen to be cheaper there. But variety and quality certainly can also be part of the reason, I know very well that Latvian stores can offer some products that aren't sold in Estonia.

Anyhow, I'd say the cuisines in the region are interrelated to quite a degree. I could have a very homely meal whether I am in Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Sweden, Russia or Germany...

[Waidewut]

I know a few people from Valga, they tend to buy a number of products from Latvia, because they happen to be cheaper there. But variety and quality certainly can also be part of the reason, I know very well that Latvian stores can offer some products that aren't sold in Estonia.

Anyhow, I'd say the cuisines in the region are interrelated to quite a degree. I could have a very homely meal whether I am in Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Sweden, Russia or Germany...

From the wikipedia article Karl posted, I couldn't find anything foreign to the Latvian cuisine. Kama jahu is something absolutely foreign here, though not in Northern Latvia.
I wanted to ask whether lampreys (http://www.latvijasnegi.lv/images/1.jpg) are found in the Estonian cuisine. Because they are considered the true Latvian delicacy here.

[EWtt]

I wanted to ask whether lampreys (http://www.latvijasnegi.lv/images/1.jpg) are found in the Estonian cuisine. Because they are considered the true Latvian delicacy here.

Yeah, they're eaten alright. I read a bit about them, apparently we provided marinated lampreys for the St. Petersburg market at least over 200 years ago. They're supposed to taste best when they're roasted. Don't recall eating them myself, though.

[Styggnacke]

I'm going to both Estonia and Latvia this summer. What from the local cuisines should I try? :)

[Waidewut]

I'm going to both Estonia and Latvia this summer. What from the local cuisines should I try? :)

What I recommend from Latvia:
1. Grey peas with bacon, it's a must and you will find them in any decent place where Latvian food is served.
http://www.piejura.eu/components/com_joomgallery/img_originals/_4/_1_20100809_1635180279.jpg
2. Hemp butter or hemp spread (Latvian- kaņepju sviests)- an old Latvian classic.
http://saulesjums.lv/image/cache/data/sviests/kanepes-500x500.jpg
3. Rye bread. (Latvian- Rupjmaize)
http://www.gatavosim.lv/g/wp-content/uploads/Rupjmaize-sviests-a1.jpg
4. Midsummer cheese or John's cheese (Latvian- Jāņu siers)
http://spice.ucoz.lv/_pu/5/89128548.jpg
5. Smoked fish in general, most classic one is smoked Baltic herring (Latvian-reņģes)
http://www.sieviesuklubs.lv/content/uploads/1274266922-7205.jpg
6. Grilled lampreys (Latvian- nēģi)
http://www.latvijasnegi.lv/images/13-256.jpghttp://www.latvijasnegi.lv/images/12-256.jpg
7. Potato-carrot pie (Latvian- Sklandurausis)- This will be hard to find but it's considered the most typical Western-Latvian dish.
http://www.restoriga.com/images/news_36_Sklandrausis%202.jpg
8. Herring with boiled potatoes and cottage cheese (Siļķe ar kartupeļiem un biezpienu)- Second most classical dish after gray peas.
http://www.diena.lv/uploads/thumbnails/705x457/article/recipe/20111014/silke-14-1318588120.jpg.jpg

[EWtt]

I'm going to both Estonia and Latvia this summer. What from the local cuisines should I try? :)

Blood sausage/black pudding...

http://thumbs.ifood.tv/files/images/food/verivorst-01.jpg

Baltic herring is the "national fish"...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2316/2390702176_a357f30bce.jpg

And potatoes with pork and sauerkraut are very Estonian indeed (influences of the German cuisine again)

http://cmsimple.e-ope.ee/toitlustuse_alused/images/10.8.%20Seapraad.jpg

Sült (jellied meat)

http://www.viimsimarket.ee/components/Catalog/pics/4bb20787e9e1e/0.jpg

I'd recommend our version of potato salad, too.

http://y.delfi.ee/norm/168169/8807231_nHYUAB.jpeg

And local black rye bread, of course...

http://www.nami-nami.ee/recipe/image/1230rukkileibNAMINAMI.jpg

Why not try out kohuke, too, as we have been talking about it... It can be found pretty much in every store. Karums is the most popular Latvian brand.

http://y.delfi.ee/norm/102149/4987035_0QT0FU.jpeg

Local beer... Saku and A. Le Coq are the most popular brands.

There's lots of other good stuff... Just see what's on the offer. ;)

[Talvi]

Lithuanian food looks unusual to me.

[Styggnacke]

Thank you, both EWtt and Waidewut! I think that I will skip the black pudding, though. We also have it in the cuisine where I come from and I've always utterly despised it. ;)

[EWtt]

Thank you, both EWtt and Waidewut! I think that I will skip the black pudding, though. We also have it in the cuisine where I come from and I've always utterly despised it. ;)

The name (verivorst = blood sausage) is more awful than the taste. :D

We got the black pudding from the Germans, but now that I think of it, our sült should also be Swedish in origin, you call it "sylta". :)

[Talvi]

Mulgikapsad
http://www.toidutare.ee/img/retsept/5a2c9cd9a339e81.jpg

Pea soup with pork
http://selver.eu/public/recipes/hernesupp.jpg

Mulgipuder
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JnSHFgYY65I/S8bmxmvwYBI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/io6fCMR3ck0/s1600/P1050214.JPG



Not really traditional but i sure love to eat it and I am not sure if it is popular in any other countries
viinerisaiake!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_lOpJyUL73HY/SwsYFIh_lFI/AAAAAAAAAVE/Z790SDzWOYg/s1600/IMGP0695.JPG

[Waidewut]

If Anachronistic would come in April, I would recommend him to drink birch tree sap. :D
http://www.pareizs-uzturs.com/upload_pic/berzu1.jpg
Fermented birch tree sap will be available in summer, though I have no idea in exactly which place you can get it.
Or if you are an extremist I recommend curled milk/soured milk.

Best beers according to myself are Užavas, Tērvetes and Brenguļi.
You should try also Riga Black Balsam
http://www.homedistiller.ru/images/retsepty/rijskiy_balzam.jpg

[Talvi]

You should try also Riga Black Balsam
http://www.homedistiller.ru/images/retsepty/rijskiy_balzam.jpg

I do not recommend this drink. When I drank this the worst things ever happened to me.

I woke up in the morning.. sad that the party was over, I thought I fell asleep. Actually.. I had been running around for hours doing the stupidest thing Ive ever done.

This with milk and ice is much much better.
http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/41800_23405130218_9935_n.jpg

[Äike]

Šakotis:
http://www.visireceptai.lt/pics/rec_1459_1213127939_5a7sq4.jpg
http://0.tqn.com/d/easteuropeanfood/1/0/V/g/-/-/racine-bakery-78.jpg

Kastinys
http://www.blogas.lt/uploads/t/tetasigita/250044.jpg
Its mainly made from from sour cream, kefyras, butter, various flavourings. A very ancient Samogitian dish.

Kugelis
http://goiabadademarmelo.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/kugelis-21.jpg
Basically a potato pudding with beacon. Suits with sour cream and kefyras.

Žagarėliai
http://www.mamosreceptai.lt/recipe-images/gallery/zagareliai-1-5622.jpeg

Cepelinai
http://www.15min.lt/images/photos/597384/big/1221046894cepelinai.jpg
They are a type of dumpling made from grated potatoes and usually stuffed with minced meat, although sometimes dry cottage cheese (curd) or mushrooms are used instead.

Vėdarai
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mk2QGTMY9e4/TOlDAXFJNyI/AAAAAAAAAGs/gT8BMBd5sUo/s1600/PB200093.JPG
Stuffed you know what.

Švilpikai
http://skoniublogas.lt/wp-content/themes/mano/thumb.php?src=http://skoniublogas.lt/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/6179-Svilpikai_SB.jpg&h=320&w=320&zc=1&q=100
Made of poatoes, mill, sour cream, eggs... Eaten with mushroos or pork fill.

Šaltanosiai
http://www.mamosreceptai.lt/recipe-images/gallery/altanosiai-su-slyvomis-7757.jpeg
Pelmeni with bilberries.

Skryliai
http://forellesreceptai.lt/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Picture-1753-534x356.jpg
Stiff wheat, rye or buckwheat dough, rolled thin and cut into triangles or rectangles, is boiled, drained, and eaten with melted pork fat, vegetable oil, or sour cream.

Žemaitiški blynai
http://maistas-i-namus.pasazas.lt/uploads/img/catalog/1/foto_large_1_89823081.jpg
Samogitian potato pancakes.

Rasalynė
http://www.mama.lt/Uploads/image/recipe_gallery_2504/d5f640f1462ee6e51aa4db149e1a080f.jpg
Mashed boiled potatoes and fried herring's soup.

Šaltibarščiai:
http://skinslt.blogas.lt/files/2009/09/43120553_saltibarsciai12327478131.jpg
Cold soup made of kefyras, cucumber and pickled beetroot.

We also eat jelled meat.
And And potatoes with pork and sauerkraut.

I guess they all are quite similar...

I was hungry when I clicked on this thread, but then I did read your post and lost my appetite...

Lithuanian cuisine looks quite different and not so good, from my (Estonian) perspective.

[Talvi]

--
Viinerisaiake has very modernist sausages in them. They look like sophisticated version of hot dogs :D

This sausage is called viiner. Its not all pure meat and usually kids eat it.

http://talikas.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/viiner.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7189/6870256337_0230aabe40.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nA2gd5t64Rw/TfzhVp4z8lI/AAAAAAAAAJY/gunnD6GzH_E/s320/DSCN0564.JPG

[Waidewut]

I do not recommend this drink. When I drank this the worst things ever happened to me.

I woke up in the morning.. sad that the party was over, I thought I fell asleep. Actually.. I had been running around for hours doing the stupidest thing Ive ever done.

That is because one must treat the holly black balsam as medicine, not just an alcoholic drink.
Possibly it is just too Latvian for Estonians to handle.
We have a new version of Riga Black Balsam, with black currant taste and that one is just heavenly.

[Harmonia]

I once decided to try Latvian food in restaurant in Latvia. I asked waitress if they have any national Latvian food here and she recommended me some kind of sour cream soup, saying it's national one. I tried it and it was pretty good. Also, I like 'Karums' deserts more than any other, haha. I don't really like Lithuanian food that much, because I don't eat meat and most of national dishes here contains meat. Well, I find cepelinai with mushrooms instead of meat to be very tasty. I haven't tried Estonian food yet to make a decision, though.

[Waidewut]

I once decided to try Latvian food in restaurant in Latvia. I asked waitress if they have any national Latvian food here and she recommended me some kind of sour cream soup, saying it's national one. I tried it and it was pretty good. Also, I like 'Karums' deserts more than any other, haha. I don't really like Lithuanian food that much, because I don't eat meat and most of national dishes here contains meat. Well, I find cepelinai with mushrooms instead of meat to be very tasty. I haven't tried Estonian food yet to make a decision, though.

It seems to me you had sorrel soup, or am I wrong?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4OCf-v9iOCk/Tl1GUYRpSDI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/1YB9nUOnTbU/s1600/Skabenu_zupa.png

[Harmonia]

It seems to me you had sorrel soup, or am I wrong?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4OCf-v9iOCk/Tl1GUYRpSDI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/1YB9nUOnTbU/s1600/Skabenu_zupa.png

No, not sorrel soup, we have this one in Lithuania as well. The one I tried was called 'putra' if I remember correctly, but I can be wrong with name.

[Birka]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0396FSjw-w&feature=fvwrel

Lithuanian cold beet soup. šaltibarščiai

[Racial Observer 1814]

I do not know, as I have not as yet sampled food from this regions.

[Rugevit]

All Baltic countries are using similar ingredients and cooking techniques. Most of dishes are similar having minor variations such as soups, porridges, similar spices, similar fruits and vegetables, similar grains, dairy products, potatoes, pork, rye bread etc. Plus all those dishes and products that have that influenced Baltic cuisines during Soviet era. There are some dishes that may unique to each cuisine. But the main difference are the names.

[Hercus Monte]

All Baltic countries are using similar ingredients and cooking techniques. Most of dishes are similar having minor variations such as soups, porridges, similar spices, similar fruits and vegetables, similar grains, dairy products, potatoes, pork, rye bread etc. Plus all those dishes and products that have that influenced Baltic cuisines during Soviet era. There are some dishes that may unique to each cuisine. But the main difference are the names.

all baltic(by Baltic I'm referring to the 3 baltic states) foods is heavily influenced by north German cuisine and east-Slavic cuisine with rare minor differences. it's silly to try and find the best one since all of them suck just like everything else that doesn't border the Mediterranean.

in any case, heres a thread on lithuanian cuisine - http://www.theapricity.com/forum/showthread.php?88013-Lithuanian-cuisine

[Rugevit]

Latvian cuisine


Sweet bread soup with whipped cream.



http://s10.postimg.org/sr1rivwl5/265d24febd63163425a3d9d7a7ea1d3b.jpg







Milk soup with fish -Piena zupa






http://s29.postimg.org/60xzue87r/piena_zupa2_jpg_itok_Swh_TYWBA.jpg

[Rugevit]

all baltic(by Baltic I'm referring to the 3 baltic states) foods is heavily influenced by north German cuisine and east-Slavic cuisine with rare minor differences. it's silly to try and find the best one since all of them suck just like everything else that doesn't border the Mediterranean.





Any German dish entered Baltic states cuisine were subject to availability of ingredients and cooking techniques common to the region. Thus, the German influence is in the form of names given to the dishes mostly. On the other hand countries of north-eastern Europe have similar cuisine shaped by environmental and socio-economic factors. There are regional variations too.


The diagram is based on various food products consumption per capita obtained here (http://www.helgilibrary.com/indicators/index/). Look on the right hand side. Two clusters (Russia, Estonia, Ukraine, Lithuania) and (Belarus, Poland, Latvia) are grouped together .




http://s1.postimg.org/ojwreissd/k8polar.png

[ЛыSSый]

I don't know, who from them is better, but i heartiliy like their sprats in oil. It was a great idea. And "riga" balsam, now here is prodused some balsam like it one, but "riga" was the first and still very tasty. Also sometimes i found in shops "baltic bread", sort of black bread, it also tasty and rather different from ordinary black bread.

[Rugevit]

I don't know, who from them is better, but i heartiliy like their sprats in oil. It was a great idea. And "riga" balsam, now here is prodused some balsam like it one, but "riga" was the first and still very tasty. Also sometimes i found in shops "baltic bread", sort of black bread, it also tasty and rather different from ordinary black bread.

Baltic bread is not traditional bread from the Baltic states. The recipe was invented during Soviet era. Similarly, Ukrainian, Moscow, Sumy, Riga, Latgalian, Karelian and many other breads named after cities or region were Soviet inventions. These breads were baked in different parts of the country. Baltic breads more often than not would be rye bread in which leaven agent (zakvaska) , a bit of scalded dough, molasses, malt are used. Ukrainian bread would have more wheat. These are good breads, but they were not traditional. In saying this Latvians and Lithuanians love rye breads. Not long ago I was watching a collection of pictures from Latvian bread museum.


This picture was taken in northern Lithuania. The size of the bread loaves is impressive.





http://ic.pics.livejournal.com/solnce_pek/44567581/65800/original.jpg

[Rugevit]

Estonian cuisine


Sandwich with butter, sprats, eggs and rye bread – Kiluvõileib




http://s16.postimg.org/kqv088onp/kiluvoileib.jpg



Mulgikapsad made of pearl barleyl, speck, sauerkraut, potato




http://s12.postimg.org/9edtogmbh/mulgikapsad2_jpg_itok_9_Xr_Kj_WBV.jpg



Pikkpoiss, pieczeń rzymska



http://s18.postimg.org/rqcbmje6x/pikkpoiss_jpg_itok_4_It6_Cj_Rq.jpg

[Ülev]

Lithuania

[Seya]

nordics can cook? :icon_ask:

[Dick]

Estonia has good magic mushrooms. Don't fuck with Estonian mushrooms



https://youtu.be/JKiTA48agFo

[Finnish Swede]

Estonia.

It's bit ahead of others. Hygiene etc. matters.

[Dandelion]

Estonia has good magic mushrooms. Don't fuck with Estonians



https://youtu.be/JKiTA48agFo

One tough mofo. Getting maced with pepper spray and still carrying on.

[GreentheViper]

Estonia has good magic mushrooms. Don't fuck with Estonian mushrooms

Did you have some of those :laugh:

[magicalM]

Lithuania. The food culture was surprising good. High standards!

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