https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Europe in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20180323/how-to-make-traditional-swedish-waffles Fri, 23 Mar 2018 06:59:00 +0100 how-to-make-traditional-swedish-waffles 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20250325/swedish-fika-calendar-what-do-waffles-have-to-do-with-the-virgin-mary Tue, 25 Mar 2025 08:59:44 +0100 swedish-fika-calendar-what-do-waffles-have-to-do-with-the-virgin-mary 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20260228/culture-politics-food-what-makes-europeans-proud-of-their-country Sat, 28 Feb 2026 12:49:34 +0100 culture-politics-food-what-makes-europeans-proud-of-their-country Ernest Hemingway famously said that Spaniards “delay the day”, and when it comes to eating, this is certainly applicable. https://www.thelocal.com/20241002/why-do-spaniards-eat-so-late Wed, 02 Oct 2024 14:32:56 +0200 why-do-spaniards-eat-so-late 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? https://www.thelocal.com/20260112/calf-dance-and-boiled-bread-the-weirdest-swedish-foods-to-get-eu-protection Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:30:39 +0100 calf-dance-and-boiled-bread-the-weirdest-swedish-foods-to-get-eu-protection Many French supermarkets have empty shelves in the egg section, with retailers blaming bad weather and bird flu for the shortages. https://www.thelocal.com/20260112/egg-shortages-continue-in-france-despite-chicken-boost-plan Mon, 12 Jan 2026 12:04:49 +0100 egg-shortages-continue-in-france-despite-chicken-boost-plan An Italian national has been arrested after attempting to smuggle dozens of panettones into Switzerland as part of an undeclared 100kg cross-border haul. https://www.thelocal.com/20251217/italian-caught-trying-to-smuggle-66-panettones-across-swiss-border Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:17:44 +0100 italian-caught-trying-to-smuggle-66-panettones-across-swiss-border 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20251211/french-supermarkets-veggie-wolf-christmas-ad-goes-viral Thu, 11 Dec 2025 15:12:07 +0100 french-supermarkets-veggie-wolf-christmas-ad-goes-viral 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20241210/10-food-and-drink-treats-you-have-to-try-at-a-german-christmas-market Tue, 10 Dec 2024 09:44:23 +0100 10-food-and-drink-treats-you-have-to-try-at-a-german-christmas-market 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20200903/how-to-pick-mushrooms-in-sweden-even-if-youve-never-done-it-before Thu, 03 Sep 2020 11:59:59 +0200 how-to-pick-mushrooms-in-sweden-even-if-youve-never-done-it-before October 4th is Cinnamon Bun Day in Sweden, but what does your choice of cinnamon bun say about you? https://www.thelocal.com/20231004/swedish-personality-test-what-does-your-choice-of-cinnamon-bun-say-about-you Wed, 04 Oct 2023 15:31:19 +0200 swedish-personality-test-what-does-your-choice-of-cinnamon-bun-say-about-you 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20251001/why-french-supermarkets-are-reporting-egg-shortages Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:56:41 +0200 why-french-supermarkets-are-reporting-egg-shortages 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? https://www.thelocal.com/20250827/what-is-the-smelliest-french-cheese Wed, 27 Aug 2025 17:51:49 +0200 what-is-the-smelliest-french-cheese Harvesting has begun at vineyards across France, an unusually early start to the grape-picking season linked to warming temperatures and early summer heatwaves. https://www.thelocal.com/20250820/french-vineyards-start-abnormally-early-harvest-after-heatwaves Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:10:35 +0200 french-vineyards-start-abnormally-early-harvest-after-heatwaves 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20210419/whats-up-with-swedens-ice-cream-vans Mon, 19 Apr 2021 19:34:46 +0200 whats-up-with-swedens-ice-cream-vans 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20160810/how-to-survive-a-swedish-crayfish-party Wed, 10 Aug 2016 08:59:00 +0200 how-to-survive-a-swedish-crayfish-party 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20250728/iconic-french-chef-stakes-reputation-on-vegan-menu Mon, 28 Jul 2025 14:37:57 +0200 iconic-french-chef-stakes-reputation-on-vegan-menu 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20250728/us-tariff-tussles-stuff-of-nightmares-for-bordeaux-winemakers Mon, 28 Jul 2025 10:17:02 +0200 us-tariff-tussles-stuff-of-nightmares-for-bordeaux-winemakers 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20190712/seven-must-do-activities-to-add-to-your-swedish-summer-bucket-list Fri, 12 Jul 2019 08:08:04 +0200 seven-must-do-activities-to-add-to-your-swedish-summer-bucket-list 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. https://www.thelocal.com/20250722/why-has-the-uk-banned-imports-of-french-and-italian-cheeses Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:04:11 +0200 why-has-the-uk-banned-imports-of-french-and-italian-cheeses