limppua

Finland has some very good breads - maybe too many, as the bread you like today might not be available tomorrow. Case in point: limppu from the Maalahden Limppu company. I bought a loaf of this wonderful rye bread a few days ago but can't find it again. I did try another brand of limppu, but that one contains oil and sunflower seeds and tastes horrible.

The Maalahden version is a dark, moist, flavorful loaf about 5 x 5 x 20 cm. It's like gingerbread in texture, but not taste; it's not spicy nor particularly sweet. According to the woman handing out samples, it was made originally for sailors (Maalahti is on the west coast, just south of Vaasa).