This might be our most important blog yet! What are the must-have snacks to keep in your camper while thundering around the Icelandic countryside.
This is serious business so let’s do this in an organised manner.
Sweet
Icelanders are not kidding around when it comes to sweets. You might be surprised to learn that there are four candy factories in this teeny tiny island. FOUR.
Before you head out of the city we recommend making a pit stop at your nearest grocery store and stock up on some local sweets to munch on during the drive. Icelanders favor the combination of chocolate and licorice above all else. The most popular candies are Hraun, Nóa Kropp, Þristur, Djúpur, Kúlu Súkk, Draumur. You can read a detailed description of each one here.
Salty
Dried fish or Harðfiskur is a special Icelandic tried. The method of drying freshly caught cod and haddock in salt is likely one of the key things that kept Icelanders alive through some harsh winters hundreds of years ago. Break up a piece, add some cold butter and voila! You have a crunchy, savoury, healthy snack.
Licorice is another staple in every Icelanders diet. This is a historically popular treat and was probably one of the first candies, along with toffees and hard candies, to reach isolated Iceland. Popular types are Apollo lakkrís, Fylltar reimar, piparhúðaður djúpur.
Savory
Meat Soup is one of the national dishes. Most locals have their mothers, grandmothers, fathers, grandfathers recipe for their families meat soup. You can buy perfectly good ones at any grocery store or gas station (just don´t eat them in a moving car – that can turn ugly fast!).
Icelanders have a great pastry culture, one of the many great things we inherited from our previous owners, Denmark. Any bakery you visit should hold cinnabons (isl.snúðar) with chocolate or caramel frosting, danish pastry (isl.vínarbrauð) with a yellow, gooey middle and frosting and pizza roles (isl.pítsastykki).
Icelanders grow much of their own vegetables. Due to the lack of sunlight we utilize geothermal energy for the crops. In places like Hveragerði, Reykholti (in the South) and Kleppjárnsreykir (in the West) you can purchase vegetables, strawberries and flowers directly from farmers. Our sheep roam free and are completely organic so if you are a meat eater picking up something for the barbecue is a solid plan.
These are our recommendations for your on-the-road treats to enjoy in your camper-adventure in Iceland.
Bon Appetit!
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