For the smoking process, the fishermen use native trees such as birch and maple. For centuries, Baltic sea fishers have smoked their fresh catch. Smoked fish is another historical tradition. Fermenting foods is also a popular trend. The tradition is resurging as many people take part in pickling and preserving as a hobby.
Preserving produce is a tradition that goes back beyond the days of international air-freighted vegetables and fruit. Chutneys and relishes are another smart way to preserve the summers’ bounty. Many home kitchens turn into pickling factories at the end of summer, as cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions are put into jars to preserve for winter. When autumn comes, it’s pickling and preserving time. In spring and summer, people eat fresh berries and vegetables. Latvian cuisine is diverse and very dependent on the season. Smoking, preserving, and pickling go hand in hand with the foraging culture that provides an abundance of delights from the forest. If you don’t have your own relatives to learn from, you can visit farms and guesthouses where the owners share their wisdom. These relatives also keep the knowledge alive about which mushrooms and berries are safe for human consumption. There is a deep-rooted tradition of picking plants and herbs from the forest that have specific health benefits.įoraging is an ancient tradition, not something that just sprung up due to modern wellness marketing! Older generations pass down the knowledge about which plants have healing properties- for example, St John’s Wort has natural antidepressant properties. People pick all sorts of plants and herbs with healing properties from the forest, along with mushrooms. For this reason, one of the most popular customs from Latvia is foraging. With over half the country covered in an ancient forest, Latvia is one of the greenest countries in Europe. Let’s take a look at some of the Latvian customs that have been alive for generations. Knowing more about Latvian traditions will enhance your experience and enable you to connect with local people if you plan to visit. Latvian heritage is rich and counts many cultural traditions. If you want adventure, the country’s hiking trails, beaches, rivers, and mountain biking opportunities will keep you entertained for weeks. Riga offers historical buildings with stunning architecture. With over 500km of coastline, dense forests, an abundance of outdoor pursuits, and rich cultural traditions, Latvia ticks all the boxes for an idyllic travel destination.