Swedish food safaris on land – from foraging to truffle hunting

The foraging culture is strong in Sweden. Come late summer, nature lovers of all ages – top chefs included – spend days in the wilderness collecting berries, mushrooms and plants. Locating natural treasures such as blueberries and mushrooms is as enjoyable as feasting on them. And thanks to Sweden’s unique right of public access, anyone is free to set off on a soul-soothing food safari with a basket in hand, provided you follow the golden rules “don’t disturb and don’t destroy.”

Find the hidden gems with expert help

While it might be tempting to wander into the forest alone, we strongly recommend letting an experienced forager accompany you. Not only will you avoid the risk of picking inedible – or even poisonous – berries and plants, but an expert guide will also help you locate elusive delicacies. The chanterelle, for instance, is notoriously shy, and it sometimes takes a trained eye to find it, hiding in clusters under pine needles, moss and fallen trees. Stockholm-based Niki Sjölund – chef and wilderness guide – is one of many experts that hold mushroom foraging courses.

Swedes also have a penchant for foraging in more cultivated forms, seeking out farms and orchards across the country that offer pick-your-own (‘självplock’ in Swedish) fruit and vegetables, ranging from strawberries and apples to potatoes and sweetcorn. Seafood lovers are in luck too – lobster and mussel safaris are also part of the Swedes’ penchant for relying on nature’s generous pantry.

The forests of Sweden are berry heaven

So, where do you go if you fancy a spot of berry or mushroom picking – or indeed a handful of wood sorrel (also known as sour grass)? Simply head for the trees, and since 70 per cent of Sweden is covered in woods, you’ll never have to venture too far before stumbling into a sizable chunk of forest, even if you’re based in a city.

Hit the right spot in the forest and you’ll be surrounded by a sea of blue or red – and sometimes a mix of the two, since blueberries and lingonberries thrive in the same environment. You’ll even come across them in marshier terrain further north. In these arctic climes, you’ll also find the “gold of the marshland” – the cloudberry. These beautifully amber, raspberry-shaped delights are vitamin-packed and delicious served – northern Swedish style – with waffles and whipped cream.

Raspberries, meanwhile, grow wild in most of the country, as do rosehips and nettles (best picked in spring). Wild strawberries are a joy to find in little decorative clusters soaking up the sun in forest clearings, along country lanes or on the edges of flower meadows. Swedes even have an expression for a favourite, treasured place or hidden gem: ‘smultronställe’, which translates to “wild strawberry place”. Having experienced the joy of stumbling upon a spot of intensely sweet wild strawberries, it’s easy to see why it has become a symbol of magic delight.

On the hunt for Gotlandic truffle

Those on the hunt for truffles should head to the island of Gotland, off the east coast of Sweden. A truffle hotspot – there’s even an annual festival dedicated to this rare treat – the Gotland Truffle Festival. Come November, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in every aspect of this regional delicacy.

During this weekend-long event, you’ll get to visit a truffle market and participate in truffle hunts and demonstrations while mingling with truffle experts – and possibly even with the dogs trained to sniff them out. The Truffle Academy will hold a seminar focusing on truffle cooking and cultivation, and there will be a glittering award ceremony, during which the truffle chef of the year will be crowned. There is also a possibility to book private truffle hunts on a few dates.

There are, of course, plenty of opportunities to devour truffles too. Among the many participating restaurants offering truffle-focused menus are Smakrike Krog & Logi and Clarion Hotel Wisby.