• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Sourced

The FreshDirect blog

  • Recipes
  • Our Partners
  • FreshDirect News
  • Sustainability
  • Eat With The Season
  • Shop

FIKA: Connecting People Over Chocolate and Coffee

Jenn Sinrich · December 5, 2016 ·

We just can’t get enough of this artisanal Swedish chocolate. And we eat a lot of it!

fika-1

Swedish-born entrepreneur, Lars Åkerlund, founded FIKA in New York City in 2006. Growing up in Sweden, Åkerlund spent his entire life surrounded by the unique chocolate and coffee culture that exists in his home country (in Swedish, the word “fika” is the term for the daily ritual of taking a break from work to enjoy coffee and a sweet treat while connecting with friends).

When Åkerlund visited New York back in 2001, he fell head-over-heels for the city, but also felt there was a lack of quality coffee and cafes. He saw an opportunity to introduce New Yorkers to the art of the “fika” and spent the following five years working to realize his dream.

Perhaps it’s just what the Big Apple needed, as in 10 years of business, FIKA has become the fastest growing coffee chain in New York City. And, while it’s arguably the coffee that gets customers through the door, it’s the peaceful atmosphere and the exquisite chocolate delicacies, such as quinoa hazelnut and goat cheese truffles, that keep them coming back for more.

fika-3

The décor is another feature FIKA flaunts proudly. Following a Scandinavian aesthetic, every store is minimalist in structure with pleasant pops of color emanating from the wallpaper to the relaxed, slender couches and chairs. Many of the design details are hand-selected and sourced from businesses in the U.S., as Åkerlund has a passion for supporting other homegrown companies. Even the coffee beans are roasted in nearby Brooklyn so that they arrive fresh to FIKA’s 17 Manhattan locations.

The secret to FIKA’s addicting, artisanal chocolate is that it’s made from scratch daily in their Tribeca factory, which also serves as its most popular store. While many people are under the impression that the best chocolate needs to be 70% and up, it’s actually the quality of the chocolate and how it’s grown, fermented, roasted, and used that determines the flavor. You can watch FIKA’s chocolatiers work their magic behind the see-through glass doors as they make hand-rolled truffles, pralines, bars, and more.

fika-4

TRY: Chocolate-Dipped Potato Chip Recipe

To reach an extended audience outside the city, FIKA reached out to us a few years ago and we were hooked after the first bite! Now we carry their Power Bar in dark chocolate, Truffle Sleeve of both dark and milk chocolates, and bars of chocolate in both Dark Chili and Himalayan Salt.

Want to give the gift of FIKA chocolate this holiday season or try it out yourself? Shop FIKA products on FreshDirect here.

PLUS:

  • Meet the Baker: Aristos Janos of Brooklyn Mills
  • Meet the Producer: Ito En
  • Meet the Farmer: Gail Hepworth of Hepworth Farms

Filed Under: Brands We Love, Eat With The Season Tagged With: artisenal, chocolate

Primary Sidebar

Search

Read More

Get Social With FreshDirect

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram

@FreshDirect On Instagram

Just a taste of how our summer is going Check out Just a taste of how our summer is going

Check out our bio to add this month’s faves to your cart 🛒
Don’t forget the red and white this #memorialday Don’t forget the red and white this #memorialdayweekend 🇺🇸🍷
Must love dogs, cats, and FreshDirect 🐶🐈 Bef Must love dogs, cats, and FreshDirect 🐶🐈 Before #nationalpetmonth comes to an end, we want to treat five (5) lucky winners and their pets to a $75 FreshDirect gift card. Stock up on their favorite goodies, and grab a little something for yourself, too!

Five (5) lucky winners will each receive one (1) $75 FreshDirect Gift Card 

HOW TO ENTER:⁠ 
1️⃣ Follow @freshdirect
2️⃣ Like this post
⁠3️⃣ Comment with your pet’s name
4️⃣ Bonus entry: Share a photo of your pet in an FD bag and tag us in an Instagram story⁠ ⁠ 

5 winners will be selected. No purchase necessary. Must be located in the NJ, CT, or NYC area. #Giveaway ends on Wednesday, 5/31 at 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be chosen at random, selected on Tuesday, 6/6 by 9:00 PM EST, and informed via direct message by @freshdirect on Instagram. Must be 18 years or older.
Summer starts this weekend... because we said so, Summer starts this weekend... because we said so, that's why. If you're headed to the Hamptons, Eastern Long Island, or the Jersey Shore for the season, take us with you. 

Visit our bio link to check if we'll be delivering in your area ☀️ 🌊
@drinkaha Sparkling Water isn't just refreshingly @drinkaha Sparkling Water isn't just refreshingly crisp and flavorful, it makes for the perfect splash of sparkle.

AHA Blueberry + Pomegranate #Mocktail
Gently muddle blueberries, 1 tbsp of pomegranate arils, 5 mint leaves. and 1 oz of honey syrup in a cocktail shaker. Then add 1 oz fresh lemon juice, strained and 1 cup ice (pebble is recommended). Cover and shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain through a mesh strainer into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. Pour in the AHA Blueberry+ Pomegranate sparkling water. Top off with 2 oz coconut milk creating 3 layers to the drink. Lastly, garish with some mint, pomegranate arils, and blueberries. And enjoy!

*To make honey syrup: Pour water and honey into a small saucepan, using a 1:1 ratio. Simmer over low heat until honey dissolves, do not boil. Set aside and let cool.
Summer's coming. We're prepared for the picnics, c Summer's coming. We're prepared for the picnics, cookouts, and graduation parties, are you?

For a limited time, buy any 2 platters and get a third 50% off!

Link in bio to shop
We’re continuing to celebrate Asian American and We’re continuing to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month by bringing you the gift of gourmet novelty ice cream from Life Raft Treats!

@life.raft.treats was founded by Cynthia Wong, a six-time James Beard Foundation Award semifinalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef. Life Raft celebrates the ice cream truck goodies of yesteryear by reinventing them with humor and artisan techniques. They make delicious ice cream and treats with excellent, locally-farmed dairy, eggs, and produce.

Visit link in bio and pile your plate with (not) fried chicken🍗🍨
Flakey, golden crust… rich, vegan cheese 🤤😋 Sorry, we were having a moment 

Link in bio for full list of ingredients and recipe for this Asparagus and Feta Quiche
Looking to whip up a little something special for Looking to whip up a little something special for mom today? Try our friend Sam’s recipe for Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free Oat Flour Pancakes 🥞

Head to her bio for the full recipe

Happy Mother’s Day! 💐❤️

📷: @samdoesherbest
Follow @FreshDirect