I received this delightful postcard from Sipi in 2011, and I think it captures the essence of summers in Finland in a single image. It arrived early in July – just as the blueberry season was hitting its peak, according to Sipi.
The postcard is a charming illustration showcasing what makes Finnish blueberry picking special: the green woods, plump blueberries filling a traditional birch bark basket. It’s easy to imagine the nostalgia this might evoke for Finns living abroad.
Finland’s love affair with berries, especially with blueberries, runs deep. Sipi told me berry-picking is a national pastime for all ages, bordering on obsession for some! Their devotion is so strong that they’ve even featured blueberries on a postage stamp.
Posti Finland issued this stamp as a definitive with value equal to the first class postage. The design shows their beloved blueberries – on a cup and others till attached to the stems – and the traditional summer dish of blueberry pie.
Sipi had just enjoyed her first berries of the season when she sent the postcard, adding them to her morning muesli. She also reminisced about childhood days savouring them with milk and sugar – a simple pleasure we can all relate to. These personal touches make the postcard all the more heartwarming.
More postcards here on Thursday Photo Hunt.
Blueberries are a favourite of mine. We are just into strawberry season here.
Strawberry season sounds amazing too – enjoy those fresh berries! Maybe someday I can experience both in their prime seasons. What’s your favourite way to enjoy fresh/strawberries?
I’m a huge blueberry fan but we are in the wrong season, we can get them either frozen throughout the year or fresh from December until about April.
I guess I got a taste of summer blueberry dreams with this postcard! Frozen blueberries are a great alternative though. Do you have any favorite recipes using them? Always looking for new ways to enjoy blueberries!
A delightful postcard. I once went on a walking holiday in the Voges France in blueberry season and we found ourselves eating a lot of delicious blueberry pies in the farm inns.
Blueberry season in the Voges must be incredible. Fresh blueberry pie at a farm inn – doesn’t get much better than that!
Thanks to Postcrossing, I also associate berry picking with Finland a lot! I’ve been only once in that country, but I visited only the capital.