From Woods to Sea

Scandinavian Lifestyle

Amp up Easter with a historical beer style

By Malin Norman

The historical beer style Gose, which is brewed with salt and coriander, has had a revival and is popular amongst Scandinavian craft breweries. It’s surprisingly easy-drinking, refreshing and tasty.

Gose dates back to the Middle Ages. It was originally brewed in the town of Goslar in Germany, where it takes its name from the river Gose, and later became popular in Leipzig. Eventually, the beer style pretty much died out, but in the 1980s American craft breweries brought Gose back to life, and nowadays it’s brewed around the world.

Have you tried Gose? It’s an unfiltered sour wheat beer, similar to Berliner Weisse but brewed with salt and coriander seeds. It might sound somewhat strange with salt in beer, but it’s actually a light and very refreshing beer with low bitterness and high carbonation. Also, this style is usually around 4.2-4.8 per cent ABV, so sessionable too. Some Scandinavian examples include Stigbergets’ Buñuel, Poppels’ Margarita Salty Sour, and Brekeriet’s Whatever Gose.

The coriander seeds add a citrusy quality, like a slice of lemon in ice tea, and the salt is more of a general freshness or a slight sea breeze. It’s like adding salt to a chocolate desert; it brings out sweetness and elevates flavours. Gose is also a great base for adding fruit, and many breweries use, for instance, mango, pineapple, passionfruit and guava, but also more Scandinavian ingredients such as raspberries, strawberries and blueberries.

Gose works excellently on its own as an aperitif and pairs well with food too, thanks to the balance of saltiness and acidity. It’s delicious with a wide range of dishes such as ceviche, salads and fish. Why not amp up your Easter meal with a tasty Gose?

Malin Norman is a certified beer sommelier, beer judge and member of the British Guild of Beer Writers. She writes about beer for ScanMagazine, beer magazines and beer suppliers.

Friluftsliv By Heidi Kokborg –a passing trend or the secret to mental well-being?

Last year, Vogue, Daily Mail and Reader’s Digest all dubbed ‘friluftsliv’ (a concept loosely summarised as ‘open-air living’) as the next big Nordic lifestyle trend. So why hasn’t it taken off yet? It seems that concepts like ‘fika’ and ‘hygge’ are still having their moment, while ‘friluftsliv’ is lacking in glamour and appeal. But is it really only down to the lack of coffee, cake and candles?

In a nutshell, ‘friluftsliv’ refers to the value of spending time outdoors, be it hiking, cycling, camping or simply enjoying your coffee in the open air. With 55 per cent of the world’s population living in urban areas, it’s no wonder most of us have lost our connection to nature. We’re taking walks in concrete jungles, working in skyscrapers and running side by side with other city folks on treadmills while blasting the same chart tunes to stay motivated.

At the same time, stress and anxiety levels are skyrocketing. According to the WHO, mental health conditions are on the rise globally. Could ‘friluftsliv’ be a part of the solution?

Perhaps it could. Several studies have shown that spending time in nature lowers cortisol levels (that’s the stress hormone). One demonstrated that daily exposure to nature can improve self-esteem. Crucially, exercising in nature has been shown to reduce the risk of mental health problems by 50 per cent.

I recently relocated to the countryside. Instead of seeing construction sites when looking out my kitchen window, I now see lush, green fields. Instead of traffic noise, I hear birds chirping. There are no street lights to keep me awake at night, and whenever I need a break during the day, I just put on my wellies, grab the dog and take a walk around the fields. I am calmer, less stressed, kinder, less worried, and overall just happier. Perhaps, after all, ‘friluftsliv’ is not just a trend, but absolutely vital to our mental well-being.

Heidi Kokborg is a journalist and health coach from Denmark. She runs her own online business and writes a column for ScanMagazineabout health and wellness in Scandinavia. Web: www.heidikokborg.com

Cherry wine beyond comparison

Nestled into the coastline of southern Denmark on Lolland, you’ll find Frederiksdal. Here, they produce what might just be the world’s best cherry wine. Each bottle of cherry wine is made with great respect for history, nature and tradition. You’ll get an exceptional wine with a great taste, which can be served with chocolate, cheese, lamb and much more, depending on your choice of cherry wine.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Zen Production

Cherry wine should be a part of any wine collection, or you are really missing out. At the southern tip of Denmark on Lolland, Frederiksdal produces cherry wine beyond comparison. “At Frederiksdal, we grow the Stevns cherry, which is a sour cherry perfect for making cherry wine. The Stevns cherry has a high sugar and acid content, which makes it eminent for wine and liquor,” says Harald Krabbe, owner of Frederiksdal.

Due to the mild climate on Lolland, the Stevns cherry has near perfect growth conditions here. It takes nine years from the time a cherry tree has been planted until you have a bottle of Frederiksdal cherry wine on the table.

“Frederiksdal is a slow farm. Everything we do is done with great respect for history, nature and tradition, combined with new ways of doing things. As a farmer, I care for the plants, the earth and the animals. Our philosophy is to not hurry anything, and to allow the plants to grow slowly,” says Krabbe.

Frederiksdal uses wild yeast for the fermentation process. That way, the cherry wine develops a wider palate of flavour and aroma. This is what makes Frederiksdal’s cherry wine beyond comparison; it’s like an entirely new world of flavour.

A symphony of flavours With its extraordinary taste, it is no wonder that the cherry wine from Frederiksdal has been awarded several prizes both in Denmark and internationally, and it is praised by foodies worldwide. You can store the wine for 200 years, and it will only get better with age. “In the beginning, the wine is fruitier with hints of strawberry, plums and cranberries. As it gets older, its flavour changes to notes of raisins, figs and apricots,” explains Krabbe.

Depending on which cherry wine you choose, you can use it for different purposes. The sparkling wine named RØD is best served ice cold in the summer. Rancio is Frederiksdal’s signature cherry wine, and it pairs perfectly with veal, tenderloin, lamb, cheese, nuts and chocolate. “Wine is a bit like music: the more you know, the more fun it becomes. If you appreciate wine, our cherry wines will give you a richer life,” says Krabbe.

Web: www.frederiksdal.com Facebook: Frederiksdal Kirsebærvin Instagram: @frederiksdalcherrywine

Fresh seafood, live music and splendid surroundings

What started as just one seafood restaurant in Skagen in 1970 has since grown to be a successful restaurant chain with four locations and a boutique hotel. At Skagen Fiskerestaurant, you’ll experience friendly and attentive service, live music, fantastic surroundings and, of course, seafood delights to please your taste buds.

By Heidi Kokborg | Photos: Skagen Fiskerestaurant

If you love seafood, Skagen Fiskerestaurant will most definitely hit the spot. Here, you can gorge on dishes such as deepfried flatfish, pan-fried fish cakes with homemade onion compote, Norwegian lobster bisque, monkfish burger, steamed clams, fish and chips à la Skagen, marinated herring, and much more.

“When I bought Skagen Fiskerestaurant in 2012, I thought there was a lack of focus on seafood in Denmark. Even though you can never be more than 50 kilometres away from the ocean in Denmark, most restaurants revolve around meat. That is why I wanted to focus on seafood instead,” explains Jesper C. Winter, owner of Skagen Fiskerestaurant.

A couple of years after buying Skagen Fiskerestaurant, Jesper C. Winter thought it was time to expand the restaurant and allow other Danish people to get a taste of the delicious seafood they were serving their guests in Skagen. In 2016, Skagen Fiskerestaurant opened their second restaurant, this time in Copenhagen, at Illum ROOFTOP. Shortly thereafter, the restaurant grew with two more locations in Aalborg and Copenhagen: one at Budolfi Plads in Aalborg, and one more on Esplanaden Copenhagen.

“All four restaurants have extraordinary locations with amazing outdoor seating areas. In Skagen, the restaurant overlooks the marina, and in both Aalborg and Copenhagen you can get a feel of the big city life while enjoying a lovely meal,” says Jesper C. Winter.

Skagen Fiskerestaurant also makes their own Skagen Bjesk, which is made from myrtle, sea buckthorn, cranberries and walnuts. This is an absolute must-try when dining at one of the restaurants.

A restaurant for everyone Whether you visit the restaurant in Skagen, the one in Aalborg or one of the two restaurants in Copenhagen, the experience is the same. You will be served the same high-quality seafood, and you will be met by equally friendly staff.

“We pay attention to detail, and we think about everything we do. It is important to us that the service is friendly and attentive, and we pride ourselves on giving our waiters and waitresses the proper knowledge to serve our guests exceptionally,” says Jesper C. Winter. “It is also very important to us that everyone feels welcome at the restaurant. Whether it’s a young couple, a family with young kids, tourists, or elderly people, our restaurants welcome everyone, and we wish for every person to have a lovely dining experience here.”

While changes have been made since the beginning in 1970, the heart of the restaurant is very much the same. Some of the old recipes are still used today, and they are just as big of a hit with guests now as they were in 1970. Inside each restaurant you’ll also find sand on the floor, which is a fun little gimmick that has been part of the restaurant concept since the beginning.

Another characteristic of Skagen Fiskerestaurant is live music. On the weekends you can experience live music or stand-up comedy while enjoying a glass of wine and seafood. This is particularly lovely during summertime, when you can sit outside and soak up those long summer nights.

Enjoy a well-deserved midday break While many people associate restaurants with dinner, Skagen Fiskerestaurant also offers a delicious lunch menu. In fact, what could be better than taking a midday break, enjoying a delightful meal, and just watching life unfold in the city? Whether you choose to visit the restaurant for lunch or dinner, one thing is guaranteed: your taste buds will be pleased.

“We only serve high-quality food, and whenever possible we choose organic. Most of our ingredients are from Denmark, which also means that the menu may vary slightly from season to season. It is of great importance to us that our food is sourced in Denmark, as we wish to reduce our carbon footprint,” explains Jesper C. Winter.

Sustainability is something Skagen Fiskerestaurant is constantly aware of – not just in getting the produce and seafood from Denmark, but also in terms of improving packaging and reducing the use of plastic.

The full Skagen experience If you wish to visit Skagen Fiskerestaurant in its hometown of Skagen, don’t cheat yourself from getting the full Skagen experience. The town is one of the cosiest in Denmark, with a rich history and stunning nature. Jesper C. Winter and his wife also own Skagen Harbour hotel, a lovely boutique hotel that serves a tasty breakfast in collaboration with Skagen Fiskerestaurant. This truly is a wonderful way to get the full experience of Skagen.

Web: www.skagenfiskerestaurant.dk Facebook: Skagen Fiskerestaurant Instagram: @skagenfiskerestaurant

The best of two worlds –adventures and relaxation

Where the road ends, resting among the beautiful mountains of Härjedalen, is Ramundberget. This destination is peaceful and quiet yet offers heaps of adventures such as mountain biking, trail running, hiking and canoeing.

By Malin Norman | Photos: Ramundberget

Located close to the Norwegian border in Härjedalen, the modern family-owned resort Ramundberget offers accommodation such as a hotel, apartments, cabins and camping, as well as cosy restaurants and cafes, and of course the mountains right outside the door.

Ramundberget offers plenty of activities available all year around, and the area has easily-accessible trails for hiking, cycling and trail running, where visitors can follow marked-up routes while also experiencing fantastic nature. There are around 60 peaks over 1,000 metres, and adventurers who want to challenge themselves can climb the five peaks surrounding the valley: Helags, Skarsfjället, Mittåkläppen, Anåfjället and Storskarven. Those who manage to conquer all five in the same year can show off the Five Peaks badge – an achievement to be proud of.

The cycling park is great for cyclists with varying degrees of experience. Here, you can choose from lift-served mountain biking, trail cycling, or flow trail. Ramundberget is part of Funäsfjällen’s trail system with over 400 kilometres of accessible bike trails and paths. Check out the app ‘Spår och leder Funäsfjällen’, where you can find information on available tracks and trails. Not just the mountains are calling though; river Ljusnan has lots of activities, such as canoeing, where the whole family can join in, as well as plenty of fishing opportunities.

Ramundberget’s adventure centre Last year, Ramundberget opened a new adventure centre with guided tours in response to a higher demand on outdoor activities and closeness to nature. The centre is centrally located in the village, next to the sports shop Topsport where visitors can rent or buy sports equipment, to give more curious people the opportunity to discover what the mountains have to offer.

“Here you can find information and inspiration about our activities in and around the valley,” says Albin Lärnefjord, guide at the adventure centre. “There are fantastic mountains to explore and peaks to climb in close proximity to Ramundberget, both in summer and winter. We have easier and more difficult alternatives as well as guided tours for groups, and we offer private guides too.” All tours can be pre-booked online as well as at the centre.

Recommendations from the guide “When visiting Ramundberget, you don’t need to choose between relaxation and adventures. You can have both – it’s the best of two worlds,” says Lärnefjord. He recommends Tvärån for an unforgettable tour in beautiful nature. “Going for a dip in one of the waterfalls is a must!” he smiles. A hike around Röstvålen is also a great tip as you get the chance to see the mountains above the treeline. And why not challenge your fear of heights with a climb on the popular Via Ferrata, a fairly easy route for all levels of climbers, which only takes a few hours? When you reach the top, enjoy the fabulous views and a welldeserved break at the Toppstugan terrace.

“For people with a bit more experience of the outdoors, I recommend getting a package with canoe and transport from Topsport to Rogen Nature Reserve, for a few days in the wilderness.” This is an unusual setting with a maze of small and large lakes between long winding ridges surrounded by mountains. The expression ‘Rogenmorän’ (‘Rogen moraine’) actually comes from here, and even though these types of moraines exist elsewhere in the world, they are more obvious here.

Albin Lärnefjord, guide at Ramundberget’s adventure centre. Photo: Louice Larsson

Web: www.ramundberget.se Facebook: ramundberget Instagram: @ramundberget

Personal scents created with artificial intelligence

The future in personal scents is here. With the help of AI technology, you can now create your own scent tied to a treasured memory.

By Malin Norman | Photos: No Ordinary Scent

Launched in 2020, Stockholm-based company No Ordinary Scent is the brainchild of Sandra Kinnmark and Amelie Saltin Thor. Kinnmark has a background in tech start-ups and Saltin Thor has vast experience from the fashion industry. Together, they realised the potential for a new type of scent experience and set up a digital perfumery with AI to help create personal scents.

Personal scent through AI is a new product on the market. While traditional perfumeries use storytelling with the help of celebrities, No Ordinary Scent balances on the intersection between art, science and craft. It enables customers to create their own story, to capture a moment in life and relive it through their own personal scent.

No Ordinary Scent has received plenty of attention in media and been featured in fashion magazines such as ELLE, Vogue Scandinavia and Plaza Kvinna. Just one month after launch, it was listed among the biggest trends to look out for in 2021 and named The Future of Scent by Damernas Värld. Not only fashion magazines have their eye on this start-up, however; it was also included on Scandinavian MIND’s list of ground-breaking brains and entrepreneurs, with the comment: “It’s like Spotify, for your nose.”

AI tool and the future of personal scent But how does it work? To create a personal scent, the customer uploads three photos to the Scent Creator, for instance from a trip or a special occasion. The AI tool analyses and highlights certain features in the photos, such as season, activities and colours, and then matches with a combination of scent ingredients, all sourced from the perfumery capital of Grasse, for a unique blend. The scent is named by the customer and made to order in the lab in Stockholm. Through a QR code on the scent label, customers can later access their photos and relive the memories.

“Scent is our most personal and powerful sense,” explains Saltin Thor, co-founder and COO. “Our brains form a strong association between the scent we are wearing and the feelings we are experiencing. This allows us to use scents to evoke those feelings on demand, a bit like getting into a special mood by listening to a mood-boosting playlist, but way more powerful.”

So far, the company has created around 5,000 perfumes, with an impressive 4,8 out of 5 in customer satisfaction. Many take the opportunity to create several scents from the same memory, for instance a birthday party or a hen do. Customers can also attend workshops in Stockholm, where they learn how to compose their own scent. “It’s fabulous to be able to meet people in person and build a community, co-create scents and get direct feedback on our blends,” says Saltin Thor.

Partnerships and emotional connections The company also has strategic partnerships with selected brands. Ascaro Padel, a padel club located on the roof of department store NK in central Stockholm, uses AI for scent branding. And No Ordinary Scent has developed scents with the help of AI with, for instance, Form Us With Love, Cake and Skanno in Finland. Other partnerships include Fashion Week perfumes and give-aways, pop-up experiences, and customised scent educations.

“Brands are starting to incorporate our most powerful sense – the sense of smell – into their marketing strategy,” says Saltin Thor. “Through the nose, we create a deeper connection between brands and their communities.”

Next for these female tech entrepreneurs is upscaling and expansion. No Ordinary Scent currently ships to Sweden, Denmark and Finland, and is looking to expand operations internationally in the near future.

Web: noordinaryscent.com Instagram: @noordinaryscent

Amelie Saltin Thor and Sandra Kinnmark, founders of No Ordinary Scent.

The key to a perfect smile

Colosseum Tannlege is dominating the Norwegian dental industry, with nearly 60 clinics operating across the country. With everything from specialised clinics to orthodontic and general dental health clinics, Colosseum offers a range of services using the most modern methods and equipment.

By Celina Tran | Photos: Colosseum Tannlege

“Colosseum’s foundations are professional strength, service and quality,” says the CEO of Colosseum Norway, Mia Grundstrøm.

They started their journey in 1986, when a Norwegian dentist opened the very first clinic. Since its establishment, Colosseum has gone on to dominate the field, offering a vast range of different services, from preventative to aesthetic dental care. As of today, they are the biggest within the Norwegian field.

Entrepreneurial drive Since joining the Colosseum Tannlege team, Grundstrøm has witnessed the incredible growth of the business. When she started in 2020, they had 35 clinics across the country. Just under two years later, they have grown to almost 60 clinics.

“Colosseum thrives on interdisciplinary specialisation and a broad professional network based on personal drive and enthusiasm. This means we’re always quick to introduce new and better technology and techniques, always ensuring the right treatment for the patient,” Grundstrøm says.

Every single day, the Colosseum staff go to work with the intention of helping their patients. “Over 30 per cent of Norwegians have fears or anxieties about going to the dentist,” she says. ”Therefore, we always do our utmost to make sure that the experience is as comfortable and good as possible.”

Grundstrøm reflects on a growing trend of people investing more in their health, and explains what Colosseum offers patients in return. “We strive to provide a personalised and satisfactory journey for every customer. It’s about giving each patient the right treatment, which is why we focus on professional strength and service.”

One of the trends in dental care is invisible aligners, such as Invisalign – an alternative to braces. These aligners allow patients to live as normally and comfortably as possible, even if their treatment spans over a long time. The fact that the aligners are almost invisible makes more adults seek out the treatment.

Interdisciplinary academic cooperation and strength In 2017, Colosseum became a part of Colosseum Dental Group, the leading provider of dental services in Europe. The group boasts an impressive number of nearly 580 clinics across 11 different countries.

Grundstrøm explains that Colosseum has a vast range of knowledgeable specialists, dentists, and dental nurses who cooperate to provide excellent care. “The core of Colosseum has always been professional strength, as well as high quality and service. Our large team consists of different dental professionals that have developed a culture of interdisciplinary specialisation. The cooperation and teamwork also stretch across country borders,” the Colosseum CEO says. “People here want to help each other improve; we cooperate. This is one of my favourite things about Colosseum.”

Always striving towards more knowledge, the Colosseum Dental Group has established the Oslo-based Colosseum Academy, where they offer classes for specialists, dentists, dental nurses and support staff. The academy is dedicated to continuing the education of clinical workers, offering both remote and on-site courses.

Modern technology and technique “Our customers and patients expect and deserve the very best, also in regards to technology,” asserts Grundstrøm. In utilising the newest and best technology on the market, Colosseum ensures their patients’ comfort. In the past, for example, it was normal to make a traditional mould of your teeth, which anyone who has done could easily describe as the

Mia Grundstrøm. worst 45 seconds of their lives. Now, technology allows the dental team to scan your teeth for various treatments, avoiding discomfort.

“Previously, most people just assumed that whatever the dentist did to their teeth was right. Thanks to new technology and scans, the patient can see the root of their problems in their scans, giving them a better understanding of what treatments they need and why. It allows for full transparency,” Grundstrøm explains.

Thanks to smartphones, patients can easily book and rebook their appointments, and Grundstrøm says that Colosseum is hoping to make scans, documents and online journal notes accessible to patients soon too.

Web: colosseumtannlege.no Facebook: Colosseum Tannlege Instagram: @colosseumtannlege