There is a fantastic Christmas tradition in Sweden that revolves around hot, spiced wine---or, glögg, på svenska. Like the pitchers of water you'd find in the good cafes in Seattle, in the wintertime in Gothenburg (and I presume everywhere else in this country), you can often find a vat of this stuff steaming near the cash register for a small price. You get a small cup, put a few raisins and almonds at the bottom and fill 'er up for about 20-30SEK (2-3USD).
Hot. Delicious. Glögg: please don't ever leave me.
You can find glögg in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions throughout the city. Some people actually make it themselves every year, fermenting the wine for a month in advance and adding the spices... But usually, people buy something called julmust which is a glögg premix and heat it on the stove themselves. There are some serious debates between Swedes over which brands have offer the best taste, as well as fighting over who has the best pepparkakor to supplement it (see Christmas Special 1.0).
Amusingly, you can also find julmust in the form of sodas, for children I suppose. This little number I snapped while in Swedish class. My Swedish classmate says it tastes pretty unique; I say it tastes like Santa-endorsed cherry coke.
And, of course, pepparkakor. You know those thin little cinnamon cookies? Anna's?
They're everywhere, and I'm rejoicing.
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