What is the history of fika?
The word is an inverted syllable slang term derived from “kaffi,” the 19th century word for coffee. Whether used as a noun or a verb, (one can “fika” or take part in “fika”), it describes the institution of social coffee consumption, most often accompanied by a snack of sorts. Fika is a Swedish tradition that involves a deliberate decision to take a break during the workday and usually involves pastries and coffee. We used the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale to assess changes in sleepiness levels before and after the implementation of fika breaks.While fika is a staple in Swedish culture, its benefits transcend age and geography, making it particularly enriching for those in their later years. At its core, fika is more than just a coffee break. It’s a mindful interlude that emphasises relaxation and socialisation.What is it and why is it so popular? In Sweden, it’s obligatory to drink coffee with a pastry. No, really. At many companies from Malmo to Stockholm, all employees must have time during the day to do fika and relax.Fika is a typical Swedish tradition where you take time out of your day to pause and enjoy a hot drink and a snack.
How does fika work?
A fika is the moment when you have a break alone or with friends, and have a cup of coffee or tea, often with something sweet. However, fika is more than just a cup of coffee! It is a social phenomenon! Fika can happen at any time and can occur at home, at work, or in a café. A classic swedish fika includes coffee and traditional swedish pastries. Sweet treats are the heart of fika, but savoury options are also common.Taking a fika break can happen at any time and is often very spontaneous. It’s not unusual for people to take multiple throughout the day! There isn’t a set amount of time for a fika. A short 10 minutes is perfectly acceptable as long as everyone is fully engaged.Fika is a concept, a state of mind, an attitude and an important part of Swedish culture. Many Swedes consider that it is almost essential to make time for fika every day. It means making time for friends and colleagues to share a cup of coffee (or tea) and a little something to eat.
How can I implement fika at work?
Since it may be a new concept, put “fika time” on your calendar as a meeting with your team for at least half an hour every afternoon. Remove yourself from the office if you work in a physical space with your colleagues and walk together to a local coffee shop. Grab your favorite cups of coffee, pastries, and a table. Note: Fika is a social institution in Sweden. This means taking a break from an activity to drink coffee or any other drink with friends, family or acquaintances. For the drink, you usually eat some kind of sweet thing, called bread bread, classic it usually is buns and / or cookies.It is one of the first words you will learn when visiting Sweden, right after tack (thank you) and hej (hello). Fika is much more than having a coffee. It is a social phenomenon, a legitimate reason to set aside a moment for quality time. Fika can happen at any time, morning as well as evening.The word fika itself comes from what Swedes refer to as back-street slang. In the 19th century, people used the words ‘kaffe’ and ‘kaffi’ interchangably for the word ‘coffee’. Overtime, the word kaffi split into two syllables, and then reversed.There are no rules in what you have for fika: as long as there’s something to eat and drink, that is less than a meal but more than a fruit. The only rule that applies is: don’t say fika when you only mean a coffee. If you just want to grab a coffee with someone, simply say ”let’s have a coffee”.
How does fika differ from “hygge”?
Fika (Swedish, pronounced fee-ka): a coffee moment with something sweet, see above. Hygge (Danish, pronounced hoo-geh): often translated as ‘cosiness’. A Danish concept about creating a sense of warmth, comfort and wellbeing. At its simplest, fika is a moment to sit down, slow the pace, and enjoy a warm drink with intention. It may be shared with family, friends, coworkers, or enjoyed alone.Fika is a typical Swedish tradition where you take time out of your day to pause and enjoy a hot drink and a snack. But it’s not just about savouring a good cup of kaffi (the Swedish word for coffee).