Lingonberries in Scandinavia: Nature’s Wild Treasure of the Nordic Forests

All over Scandinavia, lingonberries grow over the forest floors. Imagine walking through the deep forest with pine trees around you, the occasional silver birch or sturdy oak breaking up the green. Under your feet lies smooth granite rock softened with bouncy sphagnum moss and silver-grey lichen. Between and through the moss and leaf litter grow short, stubby plants with leathery little leaves. At first glance they are nearly indistinguishable from blueberries, which is why many foragers have to wait until late summer to be sure what they are picking. Blueberries fruit as early as June, so for those of us eager to start our bærtur with an early reward. Lingonberries, however, are patient. They like to wait for the cooler turn of late summer. In my part of Norway, they are so reliable that you can almost set your watch by them—I always expect to be picking my first basket of lingonberries on the 29th of August. Yes, it really is that precise.

Lingonberries grow in abundance in Norway.

Lingonberries are prolific in the Nordic region. They thrive in the rich forest floor, sheltered by dappled shade and nourished by the mild, damp summers. Wildlife depends on them as much as we humans do: moose and deer graze the leaves, while foxes, birds, and even small rodents feast on the tart berries. My own dog, Mabel, has been known to nose around the bushes and help herself to a few. But even with all of us eating our share, the sheer abundance means plenty are left to ripen, fall, and return their goodness to the soil.

The Benefits of Lingonberries

Apart from looking pretty and tasting delicious, lingonberries are also one of nature’s true superfoods. They are especially rich in antioxidants, those powerful compounds that help fight free radicals in the body. They’re also high in vitamins C and A, as well as fiber, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet. In Nordic folk medicine, lingonberries were long believed to aid in digestion and were even recommended for urinary tract health (rather like cranberries)—a belief that modern science has since supported. Unlike many sweet berries, lingonberries are naturally quite tart, which means they don’t spike blood sugar in the same way. This has made them an important food not only for survival in the past, but for modern well-being too.

Meatballs with mashed potato and lingonberry preserve is popular in Sweden

Lingonberries in Traditional Cooking

If you sit down to a meal in Sweden, Norway, or Finland, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter lingonberries in some form. They are so tightly woven into Nordic food culture that it’s hard to imagine traditional cooking without them. The most famous preparation is lingonsylt, a simple but essential lingonberry jam. You’ll find it served alongside Swedish meatballs, spooned onto pancakes, or dolloped next to fried herring. The sweet-tart jam cuts through the richness of meat and dairy, balancing flavors in a way that feels both rustic and refined, not to mention delicious!

In Norway, lingonberry preserves are often paired with game such as moose (elg) or reindeer, while in Finland, they might be stirred into porridge or baked into pastries. Historically, the berries were preserved for the long, dark winters when fresh fruit was otherwise unavailable. Before refrigeration, lingonberries’ natural benzoic acid content acted as a preservative, allowing them to be stored in water-filled jars—sometimes for months at a time—without spoiling. This made them one of the most reliable sources of vitamins during the harsh winters. I can testify to the time they will happily keep and I usually keep my hoard in the fridge for weeks and weeks and they still look as though I had only just picked them.

Trollkrem is a traditional Norwegian dessert made with lingonberries

Each Country’s Traditions

Though lingonberries are common across the Nordics, each country has its own culinary traditions.

• Sweden: Lingonberry jam is almost a national symbol, often served with köttbullar (meatballs), raggmunk (potato pancakes), or even porridge.

• Norway: Known as tyttebær, lingonberries are cherished in both sweet and savory dishes, such as sauces for venison, or folded into whipped cream for festive desserts such as trollkrem.

• Finland: Here they are called puolukka. They often feature in baked goods like pies and tarts, and many Finns still prepare the classic puolukkasurvos—mashed lingonberries with sugar.

• Iceland: Though the harsher landscape limits their growth, lingonberries are treasured when found, often preserved or used in sweets.

  
  

These regional variations highlight how deeply the berry is ingrained in everyday life across Scandinavia.

Lingonberry Drinks

Beyond food, lingonberries also shine in drinks. One of the most refreshing is lingondricka, a tangy, ruby-red juice made from the berries. It’s often served diluted with water, making a sharp but thirst-quenching summer drink. I love to make lingonberry cordial and it's a welcome and refreshing drink to have in the cold of the winter when we are a little short of berries. In winter, the juice can be warmed with spices like cinnamon and cloves, turning it into a comforting mulled beverage. Some craft brewers in Sweden and Finland even incorporate lingonberries into beers, ciders, or liqueurs, adding a uniquely Nordic twist.

Recipes and Modern Uses

Today, lingonberries are enjoying a revival beyond traditional uses. Chefs across Scandinavia experiment with them in new ways: folded into cheesecakes, made into chutneys, or even pickled to serve with charcuterie. A simple recipe anyone can try is fresh lingonberries stirred with a little sugar—a quick jam known as rårörda lingon. It requires no cooking, preserves the bright tart flavor, and pairs beautifully with everything from yogurt to roast meats.

A Taste of the Forest

There’s something deeply grounding about foraging lingonberries. To walk through the quiet forest, to bend down and pick handful after handful of jewel-like berries, is to take part in a tradition as old as Scandinavia itself. For centuries, these berries have sustained people and animals alike, coloring the cuisine and culture of the north. Whether served as a spoonful of jam beside a hearty meal, poured into a glass as refreshing juice, or simply eaten fresh from the bush, lingonberries connect us to the land and its rhythms.

The next time you find yourself in a Nordic forest at the end of August, take a closer look at the ground beneath the moss and lichen. Chances are, you’ll discover the humble lingonberry waiting for you—ripe, tart, and timeless.

Berry picking in the forest is something that is so traditionally Nordic. It's what is called "friluftsliv" in Norway - spending quality time outside in nature. This is something I share in my NEW BOOK "Friluftsliv: How to Love the Outdoors Like You're Nordic".

It's a gentle and encouraging guide to getting outside like you're Nordic and learning to love the outdoors and all the wonderful benefits it has to offer us wherever we are in the world.

You can find out more here.