Finland celebrates its national poet today with a special almond pastry
Every February 5th, Finland commemorates national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg by eating a distinctively tall, almond-flavored pastry topped with raspberry jam and a ring of white icing.
Johan Ludvig Runeberg is celebrated as Finland's national poet, most famous for writing the lyrics to the national anthem. Tradition holds that his wife, Fredrika, an accomplished writer herself, invented the iconic Runeberg Torte. She reportedly used breadcrumbs, almonds, and rum to create a treat for her husband when he craved something sweet but the pantry was nearly bare.
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