Pori Jazz is on again from the 14 to 22 July 2012.
There is a lot of activity at the market place, fruit and vegetable stalls, food stalls and many types small business shop fronts, from local products, health care, souvenirs, clothing, craft and arts, and Jazz music concerts.
My focus on day one was on the available food stalls that provided proper quality nutrition, and I did find many places that offered good wholesome ingredients and ready-made food items.
Top of the list like always was the Pori market square farmers markets, also known as the Pori Tori. There is a fresh supply of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as the many new fish shops with whole fresh fish and cooked, smoked, salt-cured fish products.
Pori Jazz 2012 week has a lot of activities lined up for this week, including local and state political forums and debates. Maukasmaku.com will visit Pori Jazz 2012, and post some pics and articles on some of the food and nutrition-related items and topics that can be found at the markets streets of Pori Jazz 2012.
Where is the origin of a strawberry plant, any ideas, would you like to guess, here is some information that I found out about a strawberry plant.
There are indigenous species of a strawberry plant, and also the other “commercial,” bigger, brighter, golf ball size ones that have been cultivated and crossed to maximize crop yield.
Not all strawberry plants are equal, neither are all strawberries equal, they look different, they taste different, and they are different.
In the cultivation of a strawberry plant, similar to general fruit and vegetables there are two extremes, the opposite poles, just like there are the two extreme ends of human personality traits. The Considerate versus inconsiderate, active versus passive, diligent versus lazy, creative versus dull, fast versus slow, etc.
We all know there are two stereotypes of business people, on one side there is the one with a passion for the product, takes into consideration the growing conditions of the plant, and the quality of the product for the customer. On the other side, there is the other stereotype that is in it just for the money and does not care about the product, nor about the growing conditions or the quality of the product that the customer gets. You know the one, we have all met both types especially being employed for someone else over the years. The latter does not give a hoot whether what/when the/amount of chemicals and fertilizers are being used. They are the type of people that should not be in agriculture or in any food industry, they should be in another appropriate industry. A debate about the above issue would go something like this; Bigger the strawberries grow, bigger the business profit, sold by weight of the product, not quality, and that the customers want to buy products as cheap as possible, they drive the markets. Also that it’s not only the strawberry plant that has been cross-bred to perform, but also almost every other fruit and vegetables that are being farmed and cultivated. So it seems that the business viability assessment and the profit margins are what determines what the fruit and vegetables are being fed.
Here is a citation from a web page.
“Indigenous species of strawberries have been found in most of the world’s arable landmasses, with notable exceptions including Australia; South America east of the Andes Mountains; the Middle East; and Africa (the Fragaria vesca strawberry species has been grown in the Middle East and northern Africa for a very long time and may also be native to those areas. Strawberries for strawberry lovers.com. “
The wild strawberry of the Nordic region is fairly tiny small berry, compared to the cultivated type that is being sold at the supermarkets.
Just one cultivated strawberry weighs about the same as 5-6 wild strawberries. The worst flavor with strawberry is the one with no taste, just bland water, cells, and fiber. Strawberries that have been grown super fast lack taste, they look bright and beautiful, but they have very little or no taste.
“However, the “garden” variety of strawberry plant with which most of us are familiar today are known as Fragaria ananassa. “Ananassa” is Latin for “ananas-like”; Ananas comosus is the botanical name for the pineapple plant; and the strawberry plant was so named because of the supposed resemblance of the “berry” to a pineapple plant in shape, smell and taste. The F. ananassahybrid is a cross between Fragaria chiloensis (the “Chilean strawberry”) and Fragaria virginiana (the “Virginian strawberry”).”
Whether it is the Fragaria ananassa variety or not, the growing procedure and the season determines the outcome of the fruit not only with the strawberry plant. A lot is being said about the growing of grapes, and how it affects the flavor of wine, and how little is said about the growing of strawberries.
“Among those that received a living F. chiloensis plant from Frézier was theRoyal Medicinal Garden in Paris, France. Consequently, it has long been speculated that the first F. ananassa strawberries may have grown in this royal garden. Whether this is correct or not, it is certain that the first “garden” strawberry cultivars did sprout somewhere in the southern England-northern France-Benelux region of western Europe.”
“Nevertheless, the first cultivated crossings of F. virginiana x F. chiloensisoccurred in Europe sometime within the roughly half-century span from 1714 to 1766.”
Where did the strawberry plant originate? It is still a mystery to me, we know that there are indigenous strawberry plant species in North America, and South America, also strawberries grow in the Pacific islands, e.g. Hawaii. Maybe after more study and reading, I can update this post with more details later on.
8 health benefits of a Strawberry plant, 1 cup full of nutrition from strawberries. For more photos of a wild strawberry plant click on this hyperlink.
Kielo name day is on the 14 June in Finland, Kielo is also the National flower of Finland, since 1967.
Lily of the valley flower in English, is called the Kielo kukka, in the Finnish language.
Convallaria majalis, commonly known as the Lily of the Valley, is a poisonous woodland flowering plant native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe and in the southern Appalachian Mountains in the United States. -Wikipedia.
Other names include May lily, May bells, lily constancy, ladder-to-heaven, male lily, and muguet (French). In Bulgarian and Macedonian it’s called моминасълза /momina.səlza/ and моминасолза respectively, meaning “lass’s tear.” -Wikipedia.
In the “language of flowers,” the lily of the valley signifies the return of happiness. Legend tells of the affection of a lily of the valley for a nightingale that did not come back to the woods until the flower bloomed in May.
All parts of the plant are highly poisonous, including the red berries which may be attractive to children. If ingested—even in small amounts—the plant can cause abdominal pain, vomiting, and a reduced heart rate. -Wikipedia.
Here are some scientific terms for the Kielo flower plant.
Nutrition is vital to good health, and the six main classes of nutrients are the fundamental building blocks to a healthy human body.
The Nutritional structure as a whole, in six essential building blocks.
It is beneficial for a balanced, healthy diet that the individual blocks of nutrition are obtained from a healthy food type. Carbohydrates can be derived mostly from vegetables, variety of fresh vegetables are much more beneficial to your health than eating a lot of refined white flour products like pastry products, white bread, pasta, white rice and so forth.
Vegetables come naturally in the full spectrum of bright colors that say; pick me, take me, eat me, buy me, cook me. The world is full of bright colors, colors make the world more attractive and beautiful, and generally, eating more vegetables will make people’s health more beautiful on the inside.
To learn and read more about Nutrition click on this link Choice Books.
Nutrition in fish oil products.
The Nutritional benefits that fish and seafood provide are grouped into two categories; the Proteins and the rich Omega-3 acids. For more information click on this link Fish Oil Products.
Nutrition as Scientific research reveals there are two specific groups of nutrients; one of them consumed in large quantities; the Macro-nutrients, and those needed in smaller quantities; are the Micro-nutrients.
The macro-nutrients contain carbohydrates (including fiber), fats, protein, and water. The micro-nutrients are minerals and vitamins.
The proximity of Lapland to the Arctic region ensures that the winter snow season is long and enjoyable, with lots of snow and sub-zero conditions for great Skiing and snowboarding.
Skiing and snowboarding in this Spring season have also arrived most of the winter snow in the south has melted and run off down the waterways and to the sea. Zillions of snowflakes floated down from the clouds in the sky and settled on the ground for a season, and eventually, during the spring they compress into dense ice and transform shape and state into liquid water. In the south Skiing and snowboarding will wait for about 8 months until the next winter and snow.
Skiing and snowboarding this spring 2012 still on in Lapland.
With plenty of snow on the ground and the slopes well-groomed the spring Skiing and snowboarding is happening at many locations including Ylläs Tundra. Ylläs Tundra is a mountain that stands at 719 meters tall, that is a very high altitude in the Nordic region of Finland, most Tundra mountains/hills are approx 500 meters elevation.
Skiing and snowboarding launch from all sides of the Ylläs Tundra.
There is a small township called Ylläsjärvi (Ylläs lake) on the east side base of the of the Tundra mountain. Further up the slope is a ski resort village called the Iso Ylläs (Big Ylläs). On the north side is a township called Äkäslompolo and the Äkäslompolo lake. Further up the north slope is a ski center called Y1. There are several restaurants/food outlets, professional instructors, equipment advise and equipment hire services and sales.
Skiing and snowboarding from Ylläs Summit.
For Skiing and snowboarding, there are many slope options to choose from, depending on the level of competency and experience. There are slopes on the east face of the Tundra mountain as well as the north and west side. Also, there is also Off Piste options especially after fresh snow falls and when the conditions allow it is trendy among the Skiing and snowboarding fans. A gondola ride to the summit gives a sweeping 360-degree view of the Nordic Lapland of northern Finland. During the winter and the spring the view restricted by a cloud cover and forceful winds, but there are early mornings when the view is open with a clear blue sky and small puffs of the arctic wind.
Skiing and snowboarding in April 2012 is possible because of the thick snow cover over the slopes of the Tundra. Spring season is the favorite season by most alpine and x-country skiers and snowboarders. The sky is blue, the sun is warm and bright, snow conditions vary from day-to-day, usually icy early in the morning and softening as the day grows and warms up. Skiing and snowboarding holiday is what you make of it, and in the spring the weather is more predictable warm and friendly.
The winter has finally arrived, and the winter activities like husky dogs on safaris are underway as usual along the East border of Finland.
One such place is at Hossan lomakeskus (Hossan Holiday Centre), they host lots of activities with husky dogs on safaris, snowmobile safaris, camp trips, snowshoe treks, and reindeer park day trips.
Winter came late in February 2012, the unusually warm climate was long overdue, about 6 weeks late. Lake’s did not thoroughly freeze over to steel-hard ice (teräs-jää), they were precarious to fishermen, snowmobiles and the husky dog’s sleighs. The frustration caused by lakes with thin ice was mostly felt in the south of Finland, where it was said the conditions of lakes had not been seen in such a weak/thin ice condition since the 1950s. Many lakes were not accessible to fishermen for ice fishing.
Husky dogs are now happy with the decline of temperatures down to -15’C and -20’C.
When a team of husky dogs is pulling a sleigh, depending on the snow, track and the temperature conditions, they work hard and sweat if the cold is not cool enough, maybe -10’C, -15’C or -20’C is to their liking, of course, it much depends on the track condition, friction, and drag. The husky dogs eat well, are strong and love to work hard in the sub-arctic snow conditions.
Husky Dog Activities at the Hossan Holiday Centre in winter 2012.
Hossan Lomakeskus is a wilderness hotel that is located at the shore of Hossan lake, approx 70km south of Kuusamo. They have accommodation and restaurant facilities, also many activities like snowshoe and ski hire. Bookings recommended for accommodation, due to tourist groups booking in advance.
There are numerous Safari activity options available at the Hossan Lomakeskus during the winter and spring 2012. The temperatures have now settled down this February as normal winter temperatures. This week the winter of 2012 record has broken past -40C, and several times at -39’C at many locations around Rovaniemi, Hossan, Kuusamo, Ruka and the Salla region.
The area is considered as a wilderness area, where bears, deer, and wolves roam during the spring, summer and autumn time. It has a relatively sparse population, no big town or cities along the road, when heading south from Kuusamo to Suomussalmi, along Kajaanin-tie (Route 5). E-63, for some 120 km. The road to Hossan Lomakeskus turns East from Route 5, the road is called Keron-tie (843). Keron-tie becomes Kurvisen-tie (843), and Kurvisen-tie becomes Hossan-tie (843). The road from Kuusamo to Hossan is well maintained and plowed free of snow through the winter season.
Husky dogs on safaris is a great way to experience the wilderness of East Finland.
The Nordic region is distinct by the natural Nordic nutrition, and by the unique closeness of the Arctic proximity, and by the vigor of the biodiversity and life that it contains.
The close proximity of the north pole had influenced and shaped the surrounding environment since the early days when the northern cap froze over with snow and ice. It was a tough place to shelter and survive through the raging seas of the Autumn and the long cold dark days of the winter months. The vital links to survival were food, nutrition, good health, shelter, company, warmth, and transport. The Nordic region had treasures of high-quality food and nutrition in the river systems, lakes, ponds, hillsides, valleys, and under the surface of the Barents Sea.
Fishing has thrived in the Nordic region for many centuries, it was the most common source of Natural Nordic Nutrition throughout the year.
Fresh fish and seafood in the summer, smoking, salting and curing fish in the autumn time for the long winter months ahead. Fish products have been a great source of nutrition and health for people of all ages.
“National Identity. By the middle of the nineteenth century, schoolbooks reflected the theme of a distinct, rural Norwegian culture, as did a variety of popular journals. Writers conveyed the notion that everything of true value was found close to home, in everyday life of simple people…..popular enlightenment helped shape the consciousness of a common culture and history. In the national dialogues that followed, national identity was formed, contributing to the eventual dissolution of the union with Sweden”.
The Fishing industry is still active today, there is a big demand for fish products, and also the fishing tourism draws a great crowd, year by year to the Nordic region annually.
The Nordic region like many other regions of the world has come under a lot of pressure from over fishing and large manufacturing companies that have Ship-factories going out in a big way to catch large amounts of fish products. Sustainability is a vital hot topic for the future generations, and for the excellent health of the waterways and the deep seas. Teno river is one of the rare river systems that have the original gene pool of Salmon, it has not died out from over fishing like most river systems in Europe and the Nordic region.
The mushroom season is at the end of the third quarter in the Nordic season,
Many different types of mushrooms have sprung up and bloomed in their turn, they come, and they go, followed by another species or another variety of mushroom.
One type of mushroom that i picked up recently is the Lactarius deliciosus, it is an excellent mushroom for cooking, it has a three-star rating.
It has a distinct bright orange color that resembles the color of a carrot, the bright dye of the mushroom is also used as a coloring dye.
Lactarius deliciosus mushroom is not the only orange color mushroom that grows during the autumn season, there is also the Lactarius deterrimus, it is also suitable for cooking, and it has a two-star rating as an edible mushroom.
There are many different types of mushrooms in the Nordic forest, some grow in pine tree forest, and others in the Birch tree forest, they are very particular about the soil that they grow in, other types of trees and forests that mushrooms grow in and favor are the alder and aspen trees.
Preparation of the Lactarius groups of mushroom varies into two broad groups: 1). Wash rinse, slice into strips and fry in a hot pan with butter or oil, very quick and convenient, these types of mushrooms are mostly very mild and of high quality. 2). The other type of preparation is more involved, wash, rinse, cut mushrooms into wedges, and place them into boiling water. Simmer 10 minutes, drain, rinse until cool. These types of mushrooms usually are stronger flavor and slightly bitter/toxic. The boiling process for 10 minutes is necessary for human consumption.
Lactarius deliciosus mushroom is great because it is quick to prepare, rinse in clean running water and sliced into strips and fried in a hot fry pan with butter or oil, great tasting mushroom and suitable with potatoes for breakfast or another mealtime.
Summer without the Nordic berry season is not a real summer.
The berry season in the Nordic region is coming to the end of summer, the first two types of berries to appear on the markets are strawberry and raspberry, followed by bilberry and Lingonberry (Vaccinium Vitis-idea). Currently, the bilberries are still excellent for picking, and not overripe. Overripe bilberries break up easily and color your fingers bright red with bilberry juice. The Lingonberries have a shiny red outer skin (reasonably robust), they grow in small clusters (2-6 berries), on the stems of a short bright green shrub. The red berries take some time to ripen, to test whether the berries are ripe, you merely squeeze one berry, and if the flesh is white, then the berry is not ripe when the flesh of the berry has become translucent pink in color, then the berry is ripe for picking.
Lingonberries are unique a source of nutrition in the Nordic berry season
Lingonberries are very robust berries, and they have preservatives in their own juice, they are sour/tart in flavor. It is a unique fruit in the Nordic berry season, and it was also a significant source of vitamins and nutrition for the early pioneers that discovered the Nordic region. When you think about it, the Nordic summer is short, 4-6 months, theyre are berries that appear at the middle part of summer (strawberry/raspberry), followed by the bilberry, red currants and other berries. At the end of the Nordic berry season, there are the Lingonberries.
It was possible for the pioneers to gather the lingonberries and store them in a vessel (crushed) and the Lingonberry preserved itself without any extra additives or refrigeration needed. How many berry types do you know that can do that? After the Lingonberries are ripe in autumn, there is a considerable time before the winter arrives properly with constant sub-zero temperatures, during that time most common berries would not last the distance through to the winter, and that would be an essential vitamin source lost for the consumer.
No fruit, vegetables or grain foods available for picking during winter. During the winter months (6-9 mths), there is no fruit growing for picking and nutrition, the landscape is under snow and ice. It would be late August to September when the berries were ripe for picking (some variation from year to year), that leaves about 3-4 months before the constant sub-zero temperature arrives in December (some change from year to year). In theory, it would be possible to leave the Lingonberries on the shrub until the frosts came, but that allowed the birds and other animals to feast on them during the waiting time, also risky if there was a sudden snowfall that would cover the berry shrubs.
Storing the fruit from the Nordic berry season naturally.
In the early days when there was no electricity for deep freezers to preserve the summer fruit, which is a common practice these days, they could rely on the Lingonberries to last the distance through to the following spring season, now that is fantastic fruit from Nature. The other berries would have been picked day by day and consumed fresh by the early pioneers. Later on, the berries were crushed into fruit juice and made into jams with the help of extra sugar to preserve it. Also with the introduction of wheat flour, sugar and ovens then came pastry making skills of making fruit-filled pies, e.g., bilberry pie.
The Nordic berry season provides an important nutritional boost for the consumer.
The health benefits are real, and available from the Nature in the Nordic berry season.
Therefore it is a reasonable gesture/habit for people to exercise their will and choose a healthy diet that includes eating lots of natural berries at the Nordic berry season.
The white swans season here in Nordic Finland is cooling down. Most of the warm weather has already gone this time around. There are many picture perfect days still to come in this summer, and the waters are calm on the lakes and the seashores of the Bothnian Sea (Bottenhavet/Pohjanlahti).
Calm waters and white swans paddling in the warmth of summer.
The white swan is often used symbolically, here is some info from Wikipedia. “The Flag of the Nordic Council is white, with a stylised circular motif of a white swan upon a blue (Pantone Reflex Blue C) disk. The Swan has enough wing feathers standing for the eight members and territories of the Council: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Åland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland“.
“The swan symbol was chosen to represent the Nordic Council, and the Nordic Council of Ministers, in 1984. It is also designed to symbolize wider Nordic cooperation. The flag was designed by Kyösti Varis, an artist from Finland”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Nordic_Council
Here is a link to a video that I took of a single pair of White Swans, known as the Whooping Swans (Cygnus, Cygnus).
This pair of swans that I was observing did not seem to have any baby swans with them (called cygnets). I hope you enjoy the video on YouTube.
