Runeberg torte (Finnish: runebergintorttu [ˈruːneberinˌtortːu]; Swedish: Runebergstårta) is a Finnish torte flavored with almonds and arrack or rum and weighing about 100 grams. It usually has raspberry jam encircled by a ring of icing on top.[1]
 Fazer's Runeberg torte | |
| Type | Pastry |
|---|---|
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | Porvoo, Finland |
| Associated cuisine | Finnish |
| Created by | Fredrika Runeberg |
| Invented | 1850s |
| Main ingredients | Flour, bread crumbs, Almond meal, rum or arrack, raspberry jam, sugar |
The torte is named after the Finnish poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804–1877) who, according to legend, regularly enjoyed the torte, made by his wife, with punsch for breakfast. Runeberg tortes are typically eaten only in Finland and are generally available in stores from the beginning of January to Runeberg's birthday on February 5; however, Porvoo, where Runeberg lived for most of his life, is an exception, as in some of its cafés tortes are available every day of the year.[2]
History
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Popular legend says that Runeberg's wife, Fredrika Runeberg, created the dessert. Her recipe book from the 1850s has a recipe for the torte, believed to be a variation of an earlier recipe by confectioner Lars Astenius from Porvoo.[3][4]
In popular culture
editIn "A Wife-Changing Experience", the third episode of the 21st season of Family Guy series, the Runeberg torte is mentioned, and even Peter Griffin explains that it was named after J. L. Runeberg.[5][6]
References
edit- ^ Maino, Caroline (5 February 2018). "Runebergstårta". www.kultursmakarna.se. Kultursmakarna. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- ^ Runebergintorttu on kostea ja mantelinen (in Finnish)
- ^ Rahikainen, Agneta. "Skaldens liv - Familj och familjeintressen". www.runeberg.net. Runebergssällskapet. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
- ^ Runeberg, Fredrika Charlotta Tengström (2003). Receptbok. Helsingfors: Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland. ISBN 951-583-093-1.
- ^ Puljujärvi, Ismo (29 December 2022). "Mitä ihmettä? Suosittu amerikkalaissarja vitsailee runebergintortusta". Iltalehti (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Huttunen, Otso (6 January 2023). "Suomalainen perinneherkku ilmestyi yllättäen ruutuun yhdysvaltalaisessa hittisarjassa". Ilta-Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 March 2024.
External links
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Media related to Runeberg's torte at Wikimedia Commons