The Taste of Iceland: Making Rúgbraud, the Traditional Volcano Bread

🌋Icelandic rye bread, known as Rúgbraud, is baked using the heat from nearby volcanoes.

🍞Rúgbraud is a dense and sweet bread, similar to gingerbread, made with rye flour, whole wheat flour, brown sugar, golden syrup, and other ingredients.

🇮🇸Rúgbraud has been a popular bread in Iceland for centuries, and it is often consumed during the midwinter festival of Thorrablót.

🔥Traditionally, Rúgbraud was baked by digging a hole near a hot spring, placing the dough in a sealed container, and burying it in the boiling water and sand.

🧈Serve Rúgbraud with butter, pickled herring, or hard-boiled egg and onion for a traditional Icelandic experience.

Is Rúgbraud difficult to make?

—No, Rúgbraud is an easy bread recipe to follow. The only challenge is the long baking time of up to 24 hours.

Can I use a regular oven to bake Rúgbraud?

—Yes, you can use a regular oven to bake Rúgbraud. The traditional method of using hot springs is not necessary.

What other dishes are popular during Thorrablót?

—Thorrablót is known for its traditional Icelandic delicacies, including pickled meats, head cheese, blood puddings, and fermented shark (Hákarl).

Where can I buy Brennivin, the Icelandic caraway liquor?

—Brennivin can be purchased online from specialty liquor retailers, such as Curiada.

Is hardfiskur similar to fish jerky?

—Yes, hardfiskur is essentially fish jerky. It is dried cod or haddock that can be enjoyed as a snack.

00:00Did you know in Iceland they bake bread by using heat from nearby volcanoes?

06:58Learn how to make Rúgbraud, a traditional Icelandic bread that is dense, sweet, and worth the wait.

13:30Taste the fermented shark (Hákarl) and experience the traditional Icelandic liquor, Brennivin.

16:28Max Miller's review of hardfiskur, an Icelandic fish jerky.

17:56Discover the history and traditions of Thorrablót, the Icelandic midwinter festival.