Greenlandic cuisine
Encyclopedia
Greenlandic cuisine is traditionally based on meat from marine mammal
s, game, birds, and fish, and normally contains high levels of protein. Since colonization and the arrival of international trade, the cuisine has been increasingly influenced by Danish and Canadian cuisine. During the summer when the weather is milder, meals are often eaten outdoors.
is suaasat
, a traditional Greenlandic soup. It is often made from seal, or from whale, reindeer, or sea birds. The soup often includes onions and potatoes, and is simply seasoned with salt and pepper, or bay leaf
. The soup is often thickened with rice, or by soaking barley in the water overnight so that the starches leach into the water.
. Ammassat or capelin
, a fish in the salmon family is commonly eaten and can easily be dried. Atlantic halibut
, redfish
, deepwater redfish
, Greenland halibut
, and lumpfish are fished from the west coast, as are Greenland cod
(Gadus ogac) and shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius), but these two are eaten only as a last resort. Arctic char
is fished off the east coast. The Greenland shark
(Somniosus microcephalus) is rarely eaten because it is poisonous but can be edible after a complicated preparation of either boiling the meat repeatedly or fermenting the meat.
Global warming has shifted the migration of Atlantic cod
, allowing for commercial fishing off Greenland's east coast. Drift ice can create problems during fishing season, and the Danish government has not invested in large-scale fish processing plants.
Sea mammals provide important staples to Greenlandic diets. A traditional Inuit
specialty is mattak, a Greenlandic term for the raw hide of narwhal
or white whale. Mattak can be prepared with blubber, and occasionally dried reindeer meet. When eaten raw, mattak is an important source of Vitamin C
. Hunting hooded seals were traditionally an important annual social event as well as subsistence activity, which included men, women, and children. Also popular is arvik, or Bowhead whale
, smoked whale meat served with onions and potato. Dried cod and whale with whale blubber is a popular lunch and snack food. Bearded
and ringed seal
s are hunted year round, especially by Polar Inuit, while narwhal
s and white whales are hunting during the summer. Subsistence whale hunting by indigenous peoples is legal, but some animal rights organization are concerned about commercial whale hunting in Greenland, with one company, Arctic Green Food freezing and distributing a quarter of Greenland's whale meat.
(caribou), lamb, mutton, and musk-ox, which can be served tartare
. Sheep farming and cattle ranching were introduced to Greenland by the Norse. Caribou are hunted in the fall, foxes and hares year round, musk-oxen in the spring, and polar bear are hunted in the spring and fall. Meats can be boiled, dried, frozen, fermented, or occasionally eaten raw. Caribou livers are consumed raw, immediately after the hunt.
, ptarmigan, thick-billed murre (Brünnich's Guillemot
or Uria lomvia), and a variety of sea gulls. Additionally, kittiwake
and grouse
are hunted on the east coast. Sometimes wild eggs are gathered by hunters.
), harvested in the autumn, often garnish cakes and other desserts. Berry compotes accompany meat dishes. Seaweed
is stored as a reserve food for winter. During the summer, roseroot (Sedum rosea), fireweed
(Epilobium
) leaves, and Greenland lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica
) are gathered. Green vegetables are scarce but global climate change has slightly extended the growing season, so Greenlandic farmers are experimenting with new crops, such as broccoli. Rice, potatoes, and onions are common starches in meals.
is a seasoning staple in Greenlandic cuisine. Spices are used sparingly in Greenlandic dishes.
, Grand Marnier
, and whipped cream. Served in a bordeaux glass, the coffee is set on fire before drinking.
Ice beer, that features 2000-year-old natural Arctic ice harvested from glaciers, was pioneered by the Greenland Brewhouse
in Narsaq
. Currently, the Godthaab Bryghus, in Nuuk
, and Icefiord Bryghus, in Ilulissat
, brew with glacial water. Both crowberries and angelica are brewed into ales at the Icefiord Brewery.
Until 1954, alcohol sales were heavily restricted in Greenland, so homebrewing
is widely popular.
Marine mammal
Marine mammals, which include seals, whales, dolphins, and walruses, form a diverse group of 128 species that rely on the ocean for their existence. They do not represent a distinct biological grouping, but rather are unified by their reliance on the marine environment for feeding. The level of...
s, game, birds, and fish, and normally contains high levels of protein. Since colonization and the arrival of international trade, the cuisine has been increasingly influenced by Danish and Canadian cuisine. During the summer when the weather is milder, meals are often eaten outdoors.
National dish
The national dish of GreenlandGreenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
is suaasat
Suaasat
Suaasat is a traditional Greenlandic soup. It is often made from seal, or from whale, reindeer, or sea-birds.The soup often includes onions and potatoes and is simply seasoned with salt and pepper or bay leaf. The soup is often thickened with rice or by soaking barley in the water overnight so...
, a traditional Greenlandic soup. It is often made from seal, or from whale, reindeer, or sea birds. The soup often includes onions and potatoes, and is simply seasoned with salt and pepper, or bay leaf
Bay leaf
Bay leaf refers to the aromatic leaf of the bay laurel . Fresh or dried bay leaves are used in cooking for their distinctive flavor and fragrance. The leaves are often used to flavor soups, stews, braises and pâtés in Mediterranean cuisine...
. The soup is often thickened with rice, or by soaking barley in the water overnight so that the starches leach into the water.
Seafood
The majority of Greenland is covered by permanent glaciers, the sea is the source for most food. Seafood dishes include various fishes (often smoked), mussels, and shrimpShrimp
Shrimp are swimming, decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. Adult shrimp are filter feeding benthic animals living close to the bottom. They can live in schools and can swim rapidly backwards. Shrimp are an important...
. Ammassat or capelin
Capelin
The capelin or caplin, Mallotus villosus, is a small forage fish of the smelt family found in the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. In summer, it grazes on dense swarms of plankton at the edge of the ice shelf. Larger capelin also eat a great deal of krill and other crustaceans...
, a fish in the salmon family is commonly eaten and can easily be dried. Atlantic halibut
Atlantic halibut
The Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus, is a flatfish of the family Pleuronectidae. They are demersal fish, that live on or near sand, gravel or clay bottoms at depths of between . The halibut is among the largest teleost fish in the world. Halibut are strong swimmers and are able to...
, redfish
Redfish
Redfish is a common name for several species of fish. It is most commonly applied to members of the deep-sea genus Sebastes, or the reef dwelling snappers, Lutjanus. It is also applied to the slimeheads or roughies , and the alfonsinos ....
, deepwater redfish
Deepwater redfish
The Deepwater redfish may reach a size of 55-70 cm, but is usually less than 45 cm. It lives in comparatively high concentrations in the North Atlantic, for example in the Irminger Sea where considerable numbers are fished. It occupies depths between 300 and 1000 metres and is often pelagic, i.e....
, Greenland halibut
Greenland halibut
The Greenland halibut or Greenland turbot belongs to the Pleuronectidae family , and is the only species of the genus Reinhardtius. It is a deepwater fish distributed from 200 to 1600 m but has been caught at depths more than...
, and lumpfish are fished from the west coast, as are Greenland cod
Greenland cod
The Greenland cod, Gadus ogac, known variously as rock cod, ogac and uvac is a commercially harvested food fish.In colour the Greenland cod is generally sombre, ranging from tan to brown to silvery. Its appearance is similar to that of other cod species; generally heavy-bodied, elongate, usually...
(Gadus ogac) and shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius), but these two are eaten only as a last resort. Arctic char
Arctic char
Arctic char or Arctic charr is both a freshwater and saltwater fish in the Salmonidae family, native to Arctic, sub-Arctic and alpine lakes and coastal waters. No other freshwater fish is found as far north. It is the only species of fish in Lake Hazen, on Ellesmere Island in the Canadian Arctic...
is fished off the east coast. The Greenland shark
Greenland shark
The Greenland shark, Somniosus microcephalus, also known as the sleeper shark, gurry shark, ground shark, grey shark, or by the Inuit languages name Eqalussuaq, is a large shark native to the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean around Greenland and Iceland. These sharks live farther north than any...
(Somniosus microcephalus) is rarely eaten because it is poisonous but can be edible after a complicated preparation of either boiling the meat repeatedly or fermenting the meat.
Global warming has shifted the migration of Atlantic cod
Atlantic cod
The Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua, is a well-known demersal food fish belonging to the family Gadidae. It is also commercially known as cod, codling or haberdine....
, allowing for commercial fishing off Greenland's east coast. Drift ice can create problems during fishing season, and the Danish government has not invested in large-scale fish processing plants.
Sea mammals provide important staples to Greenlandic diets. A traditional Inuit
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
specialty is mattak, a Greenlandic term for the raw hide of narwhal
Narwhal
The narwhal, Monodon monoceros, is a medium-sized toothed whale that lives year-round in the Arctic. One of two living species of whale in the Monodontidae family, along with the beluga whale, the narwhal males are distinguished by a characteristic long, straight, helical tusk extending from their...
or white whale. Mattak can be prepared with blubber, and occasionally dried reindeer meet. When eaten raw, mattak is an important source of Vitamin C
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...
. Hunting hooded seals were traditionally an important annual social event as well as subsistence activity, which included men, women, and children. Also popular is arvik, or Bowhead whale
Bowhead Whale
The bowhead whale is a baleen whale of the right whale family Balaenidae in suborder Mysticeti. A stocky dark-colored whale without a dorsal fin, it can grow to in length. This thick-bodied species can weigh to , second only to the blue whale, although the bowhead's maximum length is less than...
, smoked whale meat served with onions and potato. Dried cod and whale with whale blubber is a popular lunch and snack food. Bearded
Bearded Seal
The bearded seal , also called the square flipper seal, is a medium-sized pinniped that is found in and near to the Arctic Ocean. It gets its generic name from two Greek words that refer to its heavy jaw...
and ringed seal
Ringed Seal
The ringed seal , also known as the jar seal and as netsik or nattiq by the Inuit, is an earless seal inhabiting the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions...
s are hunted year round, especially by Polar Inuit, while narwhal
Narwhal
The narwhal, Monodon monoceros, is a medium-sized toothed whale that lives year-round in the Arctic. One of two living species of whale in the Monodontidae family, along with the beluga whale, the narwhal males are distinguished by a characteristic long, straight, helical tusk extending from their...
s and white whales are hunting during the summer. Subsistence whale hunting by indigenous peoples is legal, but some animal rights organization are concerned about commercial whale hunting in Greenland, with one company, Arctic Green Food freezing and distributing a quarter of Greenland's whale meat.
Meat
Land-based dishes include reindeerReindeer
The reindeer , also known as the caribou in North America, is a deer from the Arctic and Subarctic, including both resident and migratory populations. While overall widespread and numerous, some of its subspecies are rare and one has already gone extinct.Reindeer vary considerably in color and size...
(caribou), lamb, mutton, and musk-ox, which can be served tartare
Tartare
Tartare is a preparation of finely chopped raw meat or fish optionally with seasonings and sauces.Examples include:* Steak tartare* Venison tartare* Salmon tartare* Tuna tartareCommonly a tartare is served as a spread for toast...
. Sheep farming and cattle ranching were introduced to Greenland by the Norse. Caribou are hunted in the fall, foxes and hares year round, musk-oxen in the spring, and polar bear are hunted in the spring and fall. Meats can be boiled, dried, frozen, fermented, or occasionally eaten raw. Caribou livers are consumed raw, immediately after the hunt.
Fowl
Spring to fall is the season for hunting wild birds. The Polar Inuit hunt dovekie (Alle alle), eiderEider
Eiders are large seaducks in the genus Somateria. Steller's Eider, despite its name, is in a different genus.The three extant species all breed in the cooler latitudes of the Northern hemisphere....
, ptarmigan, thick-billed murre (Brünnich's Guillemot
Brünnich's Guillemot
The Thick-billed Murre or Brünnich's Guillemot is a bird in the auk family . This bird is named after the Danish zoologist Morten Thrane Brünnich...
or Uria lomvia), and a variety of sea gulls. Additionally, kittiwake
Kittiwake
The kittiwakes are two closely related seabird species in the gull family Laridae, the Black-legged Kittiwake and the Red-legged Kittiwake . The epithets "Black-legged" and "Red-legged" are used to distinguish the two species in North America, but in Europe, where R...
and grouse
Grouse
Grouse are a group of birds from the order Galliformes. They are sometimes considered a family Tetraonidae, though the American Ornithologists' Union and many others include grouse as a subfamily Tetraoninae in the family Phasianidae...
are hunted on the east coast. Sometimes wild eggs are gathered by hunters.
Plants
Blueberries and crowberries (Empetrum nigrumEmpetrum nigrum
Empetrum nigrum is a species of crowberry known as black crowberry which is native to most northern areas of the northern hemisphere, as well as the Falkland Islands in the southern hemisphere....
), harvested in the autumn, often garnish cakes and other desserts. Berry compotes accompany meat dishes. Seaweed
Seaweed
Seaweed is a loose, colloquial term encompassing macroscopic, multicellular, benthic marine algae. The term includes some members of the red, brown and green algae...
is stored as a reserve food for winter. During the summer, roseroot (Sedum rosea), fireweed
Fireweed
Epilobium angustifolium, commonly known as Fireweed , Great Willow-herb , or Rosebay Willowherb , is a perennial herbaceous plant in the willowherb family Onagraceae...
(Epilobium
Epilobium
Epilobium is a genus in the family Onagraceae, containing about 160-200 species of flowering plants with a worldwide distribution. They are generally abundant in the subarctic, temperate and subantarctic regions, whereas in the subtropics and tropics they are restricted to the cool montane biomes,...
) leaves, and Greenland lousewort (Pedicularis groenlandica
Pedicularis groenlandica
Pedicularis groenlandica is a showy flowering plant in the Scrophulariaceae which is known by the common names elephant's head and elephanthead lousewort. This erect plant can grow to a height of 80 centimeters. Its sharply-toothed fernlike leaves are located low on the stout stem. The stem is...
) are gathered. Green vegetables are scarce but global climate change has slightly extended the growing season, so Greenlandic farmers are experimenting with new crops, such as broccoli. Rice, potatoes, and onions are common starches in meals.
Seasoning and herbs
"Herbs have grown here for a thousand years,” says Anne Sofie Hardenberg, author, cook, and TV and radio personality. “The magical silence [of Greenland] is good for man, herbs, and animals." She is part of the locavore movement, which avoids Scandinavian influences in favor of local Greenlandic culinary traditions. AngelicaAngelica
Angelica is a genus of about 60 species of tall biennial and perennial herbs in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far North as Iceland and Lapland...
is a seasoning staple in Greenlandic cuisine. Spices are used sparingly in Greenlandic dishes.
Beverages
Greenlandic coffee is a popular after-dinner drink. It typically features hot coffee, whiskey, KahlúaKahlúa
Kahlúa is a Mexican coffee-flavored rum-based liqueur. It is dense and sweet, with the distinct taste of coffee, from which it is made. Kahlúa also contains sugar, corn syrup and vanilla bean.-History:...
, Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier
Grand Marnier is a liqueur created in 1880 by Alexandre Marnier-Lapostolle. It is made from a blend of true cognacs and distilled essence of bitter orange. Grand Marnier is 40% alcohol . It is produced in several varieties, most of which can be consumed "neat" as a digestif and can be used in...
, and whipped cream. Served in a bordeaux glass, the coffee is set on fire before drinking.
Ice beer, that features 2000-year-old natural Arctic ice harvested from glaciers, was pioneered by the Greenland Brewhouse
Greenland Brewhouse
Greenland Brewhouse is Greenland's first brewery. It's located in Narsaq in Southern Greenland and was founded in December 2004. The beer is brewed from water derived from melted icebergs. Melt water is collected from icebergs and transported to the brewery by local fishermen on their fishing boats...
in Narsaq
Narsaq
Narsaq is a town in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland. The name Narsaq is Greenlandic for "plain", referring to the beautiful plain on the shore of Tunulliarfik Fjord where the town is located.- History :...
. Currently, the Godthaab Bryghus, in Nuuk
Nuuk
Nuuk, is the capital of Greenland, the northernmost capital in North America and the largest city in Greenland. Located in the Nuup Kangerlua fjord, the city lies on the eastern shore of the Labrador Sea and on the west coast of Sermersooq. Nuuk is the largest cultural and economic center in...
, and Icefiord Bryghus, in Ilulissat
Ilulissat
Ilulissat is a town in the Qaasuitsup municipality in western Greenland, located approximately north of the Arctic Circle. With the population of 4,546 as of 2010, it is the third-largest settlement in Greenland, after Nuuk and Sisimiut....
, brew with glacial water. Both crowberries and angelica are brewed into ales at the Icefiord Brewery.
Until 1954, alcohol sales were heavily restricted in Greenland, so homebrewing
Homebrewing
Homebrewing is the brewing of beer, wine, sake, mead, cider, perry and other beverages through fermentation on a small scale as a hobby for personal consumption, free distribution at social gatherings, amateur brewing competitions or other non-commercial reasons...
is widely popular.