By Rachel Wade
There’s a reason Denmark is one of the happiest places on earth, being at the number 1 spot in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. For the Danes, Hygge has been their secret recipe for happiness.
hygge
/ˈh(j)uːɡə,ˈhʊɡə/
noun
a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).
There’s a reason Denmark is one of the happiest places on earth, being at the number 1 spot in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. This clarifies the contentment felt by its citizens, and how pleased they are with their country’s lifestyle and current state. For the Danes, Hygge has been their secret recipe for happiness. Hygge is a certain atmosphere you create that provides a sense of comfort and security for yourself. There are five dimensions to Hygge: taste, sound, smell, feel and see. Despite these simply being your five senses, it’s about what it is exactly you can taste, hear, smell, feel and see.
Have you ever had apricot custard turnovers? Raisin swirls? Perhaps a Kanel Snegle (cinnamon roll)? For any desserts made with a variation of puff pastry, you can thank the Danes for the delicacies which are Danish pastries. Hygge food is often described as ‘comfort food’. We’re absolutely not talking about eating tubs of ice cream or copious amounts of cake for when you’re feeling down, it’s hearty food that has health benefits along with providing a sense of cosiness. In fact, simple foods such as porridge, soups, stews and hot roasts are a prime example of Hygge foods. They should be nostalgic with sentimental value, leaving you feeling wholesome and satisfied. Hot meals are easier to digest, and researchers have concluded that the reaction of TRPM5 in your taste buds is more intense when you eat hot foods. This is because stronger electrical signals are sent to the brain - emphasising the taste.
How should you eat Hygge? Despite homemade confectionery foods such as cakes and pastries being very much valued by the Danes, hot drinks were voted by 86% of Danes to be the most Hygge thing, candles coming in a close second, and third were fireplaces.
Hygge foods you can make include:
Skipper Stew (Skibberlabskovs, a stew made with brisket, potatoes, beets and rye bread),
Cinnamon rolls,
Danish Rye Bread Porridge (øllebrød, a porridge made up of leftover rye bread, honey, raisins, cinnamon and orange zest),
Pumpkin soup,
Roasted pork (Flæskesteg, traditionally served at Christmas),
Baked potato,
Swedish meatballs,
Mulled wine,
Rice dessert (Risalamande, also traditionally served at Christmas).
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