Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of Norwegian products I like. But there are also quite a few things that I miss from the Netherlands. Here are the five things that I will try to stuff in my suitcase or carboot when travelling back.
1. Cheese
- Norwegian Jarlsberg is nice, but nothing quite matches the rich flavour of an old Dutch cheese. Although it’s possible to find some Dutch cheese in specialized stores here in Norway, the prices are often sky-high. So, cheese is the first item to make it into my suitcase every time I’m home.
2. Dutch Pilsner and Craft Beer
- I didn’t expect to miss Dutch pilsners, especially my favourite, Hertog Jan. After trying the local pilsners in Norwegian supermarkets, I found myself craving a light beer with a bit more flavour. The Norwegian pilsners aren’t terrible, but they lack taste. Norway does have some great craft beers, likely because homebrewing is popular as a way to sidestep the high taxes on alcohol. However, all alcohol above 4.7% can only be bought at Vinmonopolet, and craft beer prices there can be steep. So, when I’m home, I stock up on some favourites, especially La Chouffe.
4. Wine
- Enough said. You know the reasons: limited selection and high prices in Norway. So, if there’s a bottle or two of a favourite wine from home, I make space for it.
5. Kwark (Quark)
- For years, I’ve started my day with a big portion of kwark (a type of fresh dairy cheese, similar to Greek yogurt but with a distinct texture and taste). In Norway, it’s only sold in small portions, and it doesn’t taste the same. Plus, like many things, it’s expensive. Kwark doesn’t keep well, so I can’t always bring much, but whenever I have the chance, it’s definitely on the list.
6. Coffee
- I truly miss Dutch coffee, even the budget supermarket brands. Coffee in Norway has a sourness to it that just doesn’t sit well with me. I’ve yet to meet someone who prefers it this way, which makes it all the more puzzling why it’s the only option available at a reasonable price. Good coffee is available here, but it’s mostly sold in speciality stores at premium prices.
Final Thoughts
When travelling into Norway you’re allowed to bring about 20kg of ‘foodstuff’. In addition, the Kvoteappen is a handy app that lets you calculate the amount of alcohol you can bring into the country and lets you pay taxes if you’re planning on bringing more than the ‘free’ limit.
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