Coffee in Scandinavia

Cappuccino at Drop Coffee in Stockholm

Part of the reason I was so eager to travel the Scandinavian countries was so I could visit the coffee shops that I had heard so much about. Scandinavians drink more coffee per capital than any other people in the world. Norwegian and Danish roasters, in particular, buy the best quality coffee and roast it very well. The roast tends to be lighter than most roasts in the USA so you taste more terroir and less roast. The barista in the shops are also well trained, often by former world barista champions.

I was surprised that the overall quality of coffee wasn't higher. In fact, most hotel coffee as about the same as hotel and restaurant coffee in the U.S. There was also chain shop coffee, similar to Starbucks. But I found the independent shop coffee to be excellent, especially in the shops owned by the high end roasters.

My first visit was to Drop Coffee in Stockholm. I loved this shop! Small and friendly with very tasty coffee.

In Copenhagen, I walked a distance from my hotel to the Coffee Collective, a well-known microroastery and shop on Jaegersborgadde. I enjoyed a cappuccino in this small space with a coffee-obsessed couple from San Francisco. 

I was mostly looking forward to visiting the roasters in shops in Norway...Tim Wendleboe and Mocca (Kaffa coffee) in Oslo. I recommend both highly! I was pleasantly surprised by the coffee and the atmosphere at Kaffemisjonen in Bergen. The barista was serving espresso roasted by Solberg and Hansen that day. I also bought whole bean coffee there roasted by Tim Wendleboe and Kaffa.

Kaffemisjonen in Bergen

By the way, all of these shops serve filter coffee, either pour over or aeropress, in addition to espresso drinks. All offer a choice of in season, single origin coffees.

It is worth the effort to seek out these specialty shops when visiting Sweden, Denmark, and Norway.

In the meantime...

I am still planning to renovate the cottage! In the meantime, I have been busy traveling and finishing other projects. We just returned from Scandinavia where I spent some time visiting my grandmother's birthplace on the Hardanger fjord in Norway. This is her church in Strandebarm, right on the fjord.

Every village in western Norway seems to have a mid-nineteenth century church and some still have a a pre-reformation stave church next to it. The later churches were added to accommodate growing populations.  There are 28 stave churches left in Norway and this one in Borgund is one best.

I will add more trip photos later. Off to work on the cottage!

Vermont Cottage-Walls, Ceiling, and Floor

The cottage has wood floors and various types of beadboard covering walls and ceiling. I am planning to paint the walls and ceiling white and the floor gray.

(www.hannesdagbok.blogspot.com)

(www.masterhenriks.blogspot.com)

(www.hannesdagbok.blogspot.com)

(www.hannesdagbok.blogspot.com)

Vermont Cottage-Bathroom

The existing fixtures in the small bath are at least 30 years old, olive green, and in poor repair. I am planning to replace them with inexpensive, fresh, white fixtures.

This shower stall kit from Home Depot is perfect.

(www.homedepot.com)

I will need to find a very small table and sink to fit the space. 

(www.decordeprovence.blogspot.com)

(myscandinavianhome.blogspot.com)

Vermont Cottage-Heating

My original plan was to replace the Rinnai heater with one of these awesome Swedish stoves. 

(www.housetweaking.com)

(www.blog.organizedsolutions.com)

But I am learning that these stoves are not readily available in the USA. So I will probably end up using something like this:

(www.haveninteriors.blogspot.com)

This stove from Hampton in nice. Finished in ivory enamel. Available from a local company called Houseneeds.

(www.houseneeds.com)

Vermont Cottage-Kitchen Inspiration

The existing kitchen is located on a 64" wide windowed wall. I plan to remove the windows and install a simple lower "cabinet" with undercounter refrigerator and a sink. This kitchen will be used primarily for coffee, tea, and drink preparation. No dishwasher or stove necessary.


Instead of windows I plan to install open shelves or a plate rack above the counter for cups and glasses.

(www.royalcopenhagen.com)

I like the peg board for coffee mugs. This is a beautiful display.

(www.white-old-vintage.blogspot.com)

I don't think I have space for two undercounter refrigerators but I do like the glass fronts. This sink and sink cabinet are attractive too.

(www.modernhepburn.blogspot.com)

(www.modernhepburn.blogspot.com)

I love the french bottle rack for coffee mugs.

(www.greenwellies.tumblr.com)

Another nice display. I also like the fabric roller shades on window.

(www.greenwellies.tumblr.com)

Nice plate rack.

(www.decordeprovence.blogspot.com)

Vermont Cottage-Inspiration

Swedish Summerhouses are the inspiration for my Vermont cottage. I like the idea of a daybed against the main window wall with a tea table and a few chairs. I would also like to use a small, beautiful chandelier.

(www.greenwellies.tumblr.com)

(www.notmybeautifulhome.blogspot.com)

(www.greenwellies.tumblr.com)

(www.4inspireddesign.com)

 (www.belgianpearls.blogspot.com)

(www.hannesdagbok.blogspot.com)

(www.franciskasvakreverden@blogspot.com)