Food and Drink
Latest articles about food, drink, and food culture across Europe.
Italian producers downgrade bottles as wine piles up in cellars
Winemakers said on Wednesday they were struggling to shift a year’s worth of produce after a drop in exports to the United States.
Four reasons to visit a German wine fest this summer
Compared to the country's beer festivals, Germany's wine fests are lesser-known gems offering a more relaxed cultural experience, writes The Local editor, Paul Krantz.
RECIPE: How to make traditional Swedish waffles on Waffle Day
March 25th is a landmark on the Swedish calendar as it marks Våffeldagen (Waffle Day), when Swedes like to eat even more waffles than usual. Now you can too, thanks to these straightforward recipes from Swedish food writer John Duxbury.
Swedish Fika Calendar: Why Swedes eat waffles on March 25th
Hej and welcome to the latest instalment of The Local's Fika Calendar, where we guide you through the most important cake, pastry and other food-related days in the Swedish year.
Culture, politics, food: What makes Europeans proud of their country?
A recent survey by the Pew Research Centre delved into what people feel proudest about in their country, with Europeans pointing to history, food and culture among the main reasons.
Why do Spaniards eat so late?
Ernest Hemingway famously said that Spaniards “delay the day”, and when it comes to eating, this is certainly applicable.
Calf dance and boiled bread: The Swedish foods with EU protection
Sweden is battling to win Norrland and East Coast Baltic herrings EU 'Protected Designation of Origin' status ‒ joining a stable of fishy specialities that is starting to rival France's list of cheeses. But a lot of the other specialities are pretty weird. How many of these have you heard of?
Egg shortages continue in France despite 'chicken boost' plan
Many French supermarkets have empty shelves in the egg section, with retailers blaming bad weather and bird flu for the shortages.
Italian caught trying to smuggle 66 panettones across Swiss border
An Italian national has been arrested after attempting to smuggle dozens of panettones into Switzerland as part of an undeclared 100kg cross-border haul.
French supermarket's veggie wolf Christmas ad goes viral
A French supermarket has made a strong entry into the competitive field of Christmas advertising with a viral animated clip about a vegetarian wolf that has wracked up tens of millions of views internationally.
10 food and drink treats you have to try at a German Christmas market
Germany's Christmas markets brighten up the cold and dark winter season. As well as picking up homemade gifts and ornaments, make sure you try these delicious snacks and drinks.
How to pick mushrooms in Sweden like you've been doing it all your life
Autumn is here, which means one thing ‒ mushroom season! Richard Orange discovers five things you need to know about how to mushroom-hunt like a Swede.
Swedish personality test: What does your cinnamon bun say about you?
October 4th is Cinnamon Bun Day in Sweden, but what does your choice of cinnamon bun say about you?
Why French supermarkets are reporting egg shortages
If you're shopping in France you might have noticed empty shelves in the egg section of your local supermarket - apparently due to an 'explosion' in demand as the French embrace egg-based cooking.
VERDICT: What is the smelliest French cheese of all?
France is home to a lot of cheeses and some of them have what might be described as a pungent odour - but which French cheese is the smelliest of them all?
French vineyards start 'abnormally early' harvest after heatwaves
Harvesting has begun at vineyards across France, an unusually early start to the grape-picking season linked to warming temperatures and early summer heatwaves.
What's up with Sweden's ice cream vans?
Anyone who's spent more than a short amount of time in Sweden will have the infamous ice cream van jingle seared into their mind – and may well have wondered exactly why the tradition is so popular in such a cold country. The Local investigates.
How to survive a Swedish crayfish party and keep your dignity intact (sort of)
August is in full swing, and in Sweden that means it's crayfish party time. Whether you're new to the country or just haven't yet mastered crayfish etiquette, an invite can be an anxiety-inducing moment.
Iconic French chef stakes reputation on vegan menu
Celebrated French chef Alain Passard has made history once again. The 68-year-old has become the first three Michelin star chef in France to switch to an entirely plant-based menu, opening a new chapter in the world of luxury dining.
US tariff tussles stuff of nightmares for Bordeaux winemakers
French wine producers, already reeling from a downturn in their market, still do not know how bitter a taste the US tariffs on wine will leave on their palates.
Seven must-do activities for your Swedish summer bucket list
Wondering how to fill those long summer days? Here are seven suggestions of things you simply must do if you want to enjoy the warmer season like a Swede.
Why has the UK banned imports of French and Italian cheeses?
The UK has banned imports of raw milk cheeses from France and Italy on what it says are safety grounds - but the same cheeses are still on sale around Europe.
My Uppsala: ‘Experience a touch of Swedish Cambridge’
The Local took a trip to Uppsala to discover Sweden’s fourth-biggest city through the eyes of two of its international residents.