Fika: Sweden’s Coffee Break Tradition That Provides Connection Beyond The Cup

Key Takeaways

Fika is a Swedish culture staple, a coffee break that goes beyond what many cultures experience, where social connection is prioritized, a work-life balance is realized, and coffee/pastries serve as a middle ground for putting aside the day’s cares to pause and connect. Here, we’ll be examining this routine Swedish practice through a series of short stories depicting fika in practice, followed by a look at what we can learn from this daily pause. 

• Fika - A Look At Sweden’s Official Coffee Break Tradition - detailing the Swedish Fika tradition through introductory information followed by short stories which depict this routine in practice
  
• Fika Findings - highlighting points which amplify the socially connecting aspects of fika and more (No Rush, No Distractions, Care For More Than Coffee, No Need For 24/7 Intensity, Coffee Is Social) 

How do you take your coffee? Slow, or fast? 

Ah yes, we’re not talking about cream and sugar today. 

Instead, once you’ve prepared your favorite cup, do you typically take a moment to savor each sip, enjoying either quiet morning (or afternoon) scenery, non-work discussions with colleagues, or connecting conversations with friends or neighbors?

Is this your typical coffee enjoyment scene, or do you find yourself regularly rushing through emails as you sip, darting out the door with a filled cup in hand hoping not to spill, or when you do actually take a full-blown coffee break, only talking about the next task on your list or scrolling through emails or social media? 

If any of these hurried scenes sound familiar, let me ask you, at the bottom of your cup, do you feel refreshed? 

Do you feel uplifted from coffee conversations at work or in your home, or are these words shared over a cup typically just shop talk? 

What if there was another way to take a real break, a true pause to not only enjoy a delicious cup of coffee but connect with others as well? 

This is fika…correction…this is only the beginning of fika! 

Curious? Me too. 

So, go ahead and prepare a cup of your favorite Lifeboost brew and slowly sip as you journey with me for a few moments to explore the Swedish coffee break tradition known as fika…

Fika - A Look At Sweden’s Official Coffee Break Tradition

Fika, pronounced ‘fee-kah,’ in the most basic terms is a coffee break, but basic terms do very little to truly describe this Swedish wonder (1). 

Fika can be used as both a noun and a verb, as in Sweden, you can “have a fika,” here used as a noun which describes an event or the actual coffee break, or you can also “fika” with another person, here used as a verb to communicate that you are sharing this coffee break with someone, a friend, colleague, neighbor, or loved one (1, 2).  

The word ‘fika’ is thought to be a slang word derived from the Swedish word for coffee, kaffi, and this makes sense as this Swedish break in the day was initially centered around a strong, black cup of joe (2).

However, fika has since evolved into something much greater than any traditional coffee break. 

So, join me as we also move beyond traditional, breaking from our typical article structure to describe this warm Swedish practice through the following short stories/descriptions, each giving us a chance to peer through the window of Swedish culture to better understand fika… 

Liam

“Ah, 10:00 am on the dot, time for a break.”

“Who’s joining me today? My wife made homemade cardamom buns to share, and there’s a bench out front just waiting for us.”

“I’m in!”

“Me too!”

“My thermos is full today, just grab a few mugs from the break room and meet us out front.”

“Hello! It’s Markus, right? Are you having your fika alone today?”

“Yes, I really don’t know anyone well at the office yet.” 

“Would you care if we joined you?” 

“Not at all.”

“Wonderful…I’m Liam, and this is August and Freya.” 

“Would you like a cardamom bun? Freshly made this morning.”

“Yes, thank you.” 

“So, tell us more about yourself.”

“Sure, and wow, August, this is exceptionally good coffee…rich yet smooth.” 

“Yes, when August brings his thermos, our break typically extends til the last drop is emptied.” 

“I can see why!”

“August only moved to Stockholm three years ago, he brought the cafe culture of Alingsas with him.” 

“Ah, my grandparents lived in Alingsas their whole lives.” 

“Really? Liam’s too!” 

“I wonder if they knew one another?”

“Okay, okay, back to Markus. Tell us more about yourself, friend…”

Nearly 30 minutes passed, moments filled with coffee sips and enjoyable cardamom buns bites as familiarities were appreciated, Markus was welcomed, laughter erupted from time to time, and the day seemingly stopped.

Astrid

“Olivia, if you’re not meeting with your usual pals for fika today, I’d love some company.” 

“Absolutely, Astrid, sounds like fun.” 

“Hogkola (university/college) is beautiful this time of year, it’s like the autumn leaves are being dramatic.” 

“I have a thermos.”

“Perfect! I’ve got a package filled with cookies my mother prepared for me over the weekend.” 

“Oh, Astrid, these are delicious.” 

“They’re my favorite way to enjoy a slow stroll.” 

“Do you know how to bake like your mother?”

“I do, what about you, do you enjoy it as well?”

“Definitely. It’s something my sisters and I frequently do when I’m at home.” 

“Oh, I didn’t know you had sisters, tell me about them.” 

Astrid, being an only child, was so intrigued to learn that Olivia had not one, but two sisters, so they’re conversation, university stroll, and laughter continued for nearly an hour. They’ve already made plans to continue their conversation later when they’ll take a second, or afternoon, fika.

William & Alma

“Oh Alma, you do make the best cinnamon buns I’ve ever tasted.” 

“I make the best coffee too, dear.” 

“That, you do.” 

“Will you set out the mugs, saucers, plates, and utensils?”

“Are Karin and Jan joining us today?”

“Anders and Ingrid as well.” 

“Wonderful! I’ll set out 6 of each.” 

“Good morning! Welcome in!”

“Thank you. You know this is our favorite time of day.” 

“Alma, I thought I told you I would bring the cinnamon buns today.”

“Oh, you did. I must’ve forgotten.” 

“You know that just means you’ll have to come over this afternoon and we’ll continue our shenanigans at our place.”

“Shenanigans?”

“Well, I suppose we do have a lot more to laugh about now that we’ve all got grandchildren to talk about.” 

“Say, how is little Oliver?”

“He’s doing so much better now. You know, they’re all coming down for a visit next week. I can hardly wait.” 

“Maybe you’ll bring them over to join us?”

“In the morning, for sure. Ingrid says afternoon fika is her quiet time while Oliver naps. I’m sure we’ll have plenty to catch up on as he sleeps.” 

The room was rarely silent for the more than 45 minutes they enjoyed one another’s company. The neighbors meet almost daily, and they’ve become so close over the last few years they’re more like family.

Vera

“I need to get at least 500 more words completed by this afternoon.” 

“Oh, and there’s the grocery list…”

“And, I’m meeting Leo this evening.”

“Wait, not now, it’s time for a break.” 

“No, Luna, coffee and pastries are not for cats, my dear, though I certainly enjoy your company.” 

“Let’s go out on the deck, Luna, it’s a beautiful day.” 

For nearly 30 minutes Vera sat in silence with her sweet cat, Luna. Well, mostly silence, minus Luna’s purring and Vera’s intermittent commentary on Luna’s attempts to sneak a bite of Vera’s freshly made sweet treat she picked up from the cafe this morning.

As Vera’s mind drifted from time to time, she pondered the vastness of the lake outside her home. It stretched on and on, so large yet so still, like a natural mirror of the sky above and the surrounding trees.

Fika Findings

After reading through the Fika inspired stories above, what did you notice? 
Or better yet, what didn’t you notice? 

What stood out to you the most? 

Was it the pastry or sweet treat enjoyed with each cup? 

Was it the routine nature of these traditional coffee breaks? 

Or, did you notice something deeper? 

Here in the US we certainly love our coffee, but how often do we truly take a break from the day’s duties to enjoy it? Even more, how often do we regularly allow our beloved sips to enhance the relationships we have with others? 

Sure, cafe visits and friend meet ups involving deep conversation and laughter around a cup or two is certainly part of our coffee culture, but these seem like the extras, the fringe benefits of coffee rather than the norm. 

And, if we’re honest, typically our sips are rushed, enjoyed on our commute to work, taken in as we read or type or chat. 

When we do take the time to slowly sip, this is often done while scouring the latest social media posts on our phones or taking inventory of the continual scroll of lists running through our minds. 

So now, I’d like us to take a few notes from the Swedish Fika tradition seen in the stories above, noting how this often twice-a-day break goes well beyond a cup of coffee…

1- No Rush

Sure, there’s an unspoken time limit for fika in a work environment, but there’s definitely no hurried pace, no anxious have-to’s, just a true break. 

This mentality, in my opinion, seems near non-existent in American culture where the pace of our society feels rushed…all the time. 

In line at the grocery store folks seem impatient…

While on a walk through the neighborhood, time acts as if the boss is peering through the window of your smartwatch, tracking each step and every moment spent away from other things to be done. 

Not so with the Swedish Fika. 

When looking at this tradition, I have to wonder how our society would change should we seek to incorporate such mindfulness, such a priority on connection, such an emphasis on enjoyment. 

In the examples above, each fika break was calm, the cares of life actually paused purely for the purpose of enjoyment…not just enjoying a cup of coffee, but enjoying one another and life as a whole. 

2- No Distractions 

Did you notice in each of the stories listed above, there were no phones, no checking emails, no shop talk, just being present in the moment, whether alone, with a friend, family member, coworker, or loved one. 

Today, sometimes I find myself so distracted throughout each day that someone can ask me “what did you do yesterday” and I’m at a loss. 

One day seems to run into the next one, and the monotony of life winds up being my excuse for this continual blur. 

But, that’s just the thing. 

Life is filled with exceptional beauty! Could it be that distractions have become so commonplace that we’ve truly forgotten what it’s like to “stop and smell the roses”?

How much more could our relationships be strengthened if we stopped to enjoy a cup of coffee with our coworkers instead of replying to emails in between hurried sips? 

How much more would we be connected to our friends if we left our phones in the car during our next cafe meet up? 

I’m not saying fika could solve all of life’s stresses, problems, relationship needs, etc. but these are certainly some things to consider in light of this Swedish tradition.

3- Care For More Than Coffee

The Swedish Fika tradition is about far more than coffee. 

In fact, this daily coffee break is really about care, about connecting with colleagues, friends, and loved ones, getting to know folks rather than simply existing in this life alongside one another. 

Neighbors not only checking on neighbors, but caring enough to learn more about their lives, likes, and families. 

Colleagues caring about where you’re from, what you like, and what you dislike rather than simply keeping things all work-related all the time. 

When we truly take a break from our cares, as practiced in the Swedish fika tradition, we just might find those cares to pale in comparison to the wonderful connections we make.

4- No Need For 24/7 Intensity

A pastry once or twice a day? American health culture would likely flip its lid. 

A routine time to set aside stresses, duties, etc.? Americans might feel like they were falling behind. 

Compared to what other cultures are used to, there’s a stark difference to observe in the Swedish fika…

• Taking a simple coffee break, and allowing it to be exactly that, a time for nothing more than a cup of coffee or two, appreciating the natural flavors in your cup alongside a homemade pastry (even without worrying about waistlines) seems to add to the ability to appreciate the little things in life without stress or worry in those moments. 
• Fika also communicates a prioritization of boundaries. 

Many cultures have prioritized production and productivity to the point that both seem to suffer (3). 

The Swedish fika teaches us that work and life need balance, and social connection can enrich both (work and life). 

Social connection is vital for health and life, as studies show strong relationships can serve your brain and body well, aspects of health that can bring aid to both your work and home life (4). 

• Fika gives your brain a needed break and your heart a source of connection. 

Taking a pause from discussing tasks and duties gives your brain a real rest, even a needed reboot (5), something many cultures skip over whether we realize it or not. 

In other words, a coffee break that’s used to answer emails isn’t a break, and your brain knows this. 

Likewise, a coffee break that’s spent rushing through mom lists, pick up lines, or only enjoyed on your hurried way home from the grocery store not only fails to allow your mind to rest, it also overlooks our human need for connection (6). 

We were never meant for 24/7 intensity, not at work, not at home.

We were, however, meant for connection (6), and fika beautifully models this needed break from intensity, a pause for people, enjoyment, and real moments of living.

5- Coffee Is Social 

Yes, this echoes the point above about connection, but as we close, I wanted to highlight this historically. 

For centuries coffee has been seen as an anchor for social connection. 

In times’ past, cafes were meeting places of the minds, providing backdrops for philosophers, business endeavors, even wartime discussions mirroring (though slightly less rowdy) pubs and bars (7).

Even today, in most cafes around the world, coffee is seen as a middle ground for meeting, a central theme around connection. 

However, the fika practice in Sweden truly highlights what seems to have fallen through the cracks over time in other cultures. 

We still meet over a cup or two, we still see coffee as social…sometimes…however, distractions are now commonplace, work discussions count as socialization, and the timeclock never stops, no matter how much sipping or chatting has taken place. 

Fika removes all of these constraints, seemingly commonplace restrictions, and rushes, returning coffee to its timeless intention - a simple enjoyment serving as the centerpiece for socialization. 

So, my challenge to you is simple:

• The next time you take a coffee break at work, ditch the phone, forget the emails, bring a colleague along, and truly take a break. Talk about the beauty of the day. Learn something new about your coworker.
• If you’re stopping for a morning cup at home alone, again, forgo the screen, eschew any interruptions, and dismiss the clock. Enjoy a homemade pastry, a piping hot cup of your favorite Lifeboost brew, and quietly be present, forgetting even the slightest remembrance of your to-do list, only focusing on the moment. 
• Consider facetiming family from afar, maybe an elderly parent or grandparent, and enjoy a cup and a few bites of a treat while you break from the hustle for some precious moments of connection. 
• Don’t let your to-do list rule your day. Give your brain a specified time to rest - brew a cup of coffee, maybe enjoy a homemade pastry, and connect with a friend, coworker, neighbor, or loved one.
  

FAQ

1. Are there other coffee traditions, like fika, from around the world that represent varying cultures or community values? 

Absolutely! Many cultures around the world have wonderful traditions centered around coffee. We commonly cover many of these topics on the Lifeboost Blog. Here’s a few examples: If you’re interested, you can read about the Ethiopian Buna Ceremony, Arabic Qahwa traditions, or how Ludwig Roselius invented decaf coffee in 1903. 

2- Is Fika a Swedish-only tradition, or do other Scandinavian countries incorporate this practice as well? 

While Sweden is the only Scandinavian country with a precise, even official, place for fika, there are similar traditions in Norway and Denmark (2). For instance, some would put the kaffeepause (Norway) and hygge (Denmark) in a similar category as the Swedish tradition of fika, but truly, these vary in practice and hold less cultural weight than fika (2). 

3- What type of coffee is typically enjoyed for fika, and would Lifeboost Coffee be suitable for this Swedish enjoyment? 

Unlike the custom of adding sugary syrups and multiple additives to cafe options here in the US, the Swedish fika typically involves enjoying a strong, black cup of coffee (or tea) or basic espresso-based cups such as cappuccinos or cortados, incorporating only varying amounts of espresso and steamed milk. 

Lifeboost Coffee is a great option for those who prefer their coffee black or are looking to scale back on sugary additions. Lifeboost Coffee is low acid, yielding what many describe as a noticeably smoother cup so you don’t have to add creams or sugars to make it palatable, and is sustainably grown using organic growing practice.

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