Culinary Innovation & Nordic Flavours
As if the landscape wasn’t enough: the ancient mountains, towering over the Scandinavian tundra with its hundreds of lakes and crystal clear air. Jämtland and Härjedalen’s beautiful scenery might be something from a fairy tale, but it is still just one dimension of what our region’s guests and residents can experience. Another comprises the flavours, aromas and textures of the culinary artisanship that combines traditional knowledge and inspired innovation to make our region a global centre for gastronomy.
The soils and the landscape are among the most pristine on the planet, the changing seasons and the wilderness outside the door make every day an adventure. Jämtland Härjedalen is proud to me part of Sápmi, the land of the Sami; this is a place where you can savour Sami cuisine and the Sami people’s relationship with nature and their traditions and knowledge.
Almost every village in our region is home o skilled culinary artisans and small-scale farmers who, with a light touch, create the most amazing products and ingredients. Some products are incredibly innovative and inventive, while others are made using ancient methods and recipes that have been passed on from generation to generation.
There are restaurants that food enthusiasts flock to, eager to taste the most extreme form of Nordic cuisine, where the ingredients are gathered under the eaves and the meny is based upon year-round self-sufficiency. Here you’ll find a gastronomic spirit, food, drink, and culinary experiences that have given the region an international reputation as an exciting and creative gastronomic region.
Masters of Gastronomy
Over the years, the region of Jämtland Härjedalen has won a considerable number of medals in the Swedish culinary cuisine championships. Östersund and the surrounding region is one of UNESCO’s Cities of Gastronomy and in September 2016, Östersund and Jämtland Härjedalen hosted the Unesco Creative Cities Network annual conference. Members from 80 different Creative Cities around the globe took part in the conference, which was held in conjunction with the international conference in sustainable development, at Mid Sweden University, in Östersund.
Food Destinations
Östersund and the Storsjöbygden area offers a wide variety of outings for those who enjoy delicious local cuisine. In Åre, restaurants that are run by celebrity chefs’ work side by side with local culinary artisans in appetising partnerships. Products range from sausages to chocolates and truffles. Destination Vemdalen boasts a large number of master chefs and culinary artisans. Bräcke is home to an award winning brewery, various cheese makers and even a wine producer.
Coffee & ‘duppa’
(Duppa is the act of dunking biscuits in a warm drink and originates from the habit of dipping a biscuit in coffee).
There are without doubt many great cafés in Jämtland Härjedalen to enjoy a Swedish ‘fika’. In the winter it’s about skiing in and out the waffle cafés, and in summer, travelling by car or bicycle to the cafés or homestead museums of your choice.
Outdoor Cooking
For outdoor adventures in Jämtland Härjedalen, make sure to take food along and prepare it on the locally invented Trangia stove. The resulting meal tastes heavenly in a cabin and even better when cooked outdoors when hiking.
Stay in Comfort & Dine in Style
With the innumerable opportunities for outdoor recreation in Jämtland Härjedalen, nothing beats coming indoors to a well-laid welcoming table at the end of a long day exploring.
Many of our reputable resorts serve locally sourced fare, prepared in fabulous ways. “Hiking and white sheets” is a concept for those aiming for outdoor recreation with a touch of luxury.
