Kvikk Lunsj: A Norwegian Icon
The fuel you (apparently) need for all your outdoor adventures in the mountains
One of the most important items to bring along on your outdoor adventures, like hikes and cross country ski trips, is a good snack to fuel your body. Some common snacks you may think to bring are protein bars, fruit, or trail mix, but not in Norway. For many Norwegians, a day out on the trail or slopes means bringing along a Kvikk Lunsj. Kvikk Lunsj is a chocolate bar produced by the Norwegian chocolate company Freia, and it is a Norwegian icon.
The Kvikk Lunsj is a four-finger, crispy wafer bar covered in Freia milk chocolate. It is very similar to a KitKat bar for those of you more familiar with those. The owner did in fact create the Kvikk Lunsj bar after tasting a KitKat on his travels. Just don’t tell a Norwegian you prefer the KitKat over the Kvikk Lunsj, such words should not be uttered aloud. Kvikk Lunsj translates to “quick lunch” and is a must-have on any hiking adventure. You cannot say the Norwegian phrase of, “ut på tur, aldri sur” (“out on a trip, never be sad”) if you have forgotten your Kvikk Lunsj.
According to Freia’s website, the candy bar made its debut in 1937 but gained popularity in the 1960s when marketing started to aim itself at hikers and skiers. The outer packaging colors are bright red, yellow, and green to grab your attention in the candy aisle. The inside of the package is filled with hiking rules and tips for your next trip. A candy bar that is truly the whole package, fueling and educational. Plus it’s easy to share with the breakable fingers, but who really wants to do that during their taxing day on the mountain.
We decided to give hiking with a Kvikk Lunsj in our pack a try last weekend. We have enjoyed the candy bar on road trips in the past but had not yet experienced one in the proper setting out on a trail during a friluftsliv.
We met up with a couple of friends for an easy hike up a mountain. The proper way to enjoy a Kvikk Lunsj and a friluftsliv is at a leisurely pace, taking in the joys of nature and that’s exactly what we did. We didn’t push ourselves too hard on the hike, but instead found a nice clearing and picnic table about halfway up the mountain to enjoy an early dinner. We brought a portable grill, pølse with lefse, snacks, beverages, and our Kvikk Lunsj. I guess the true point of the Kvikk Lunsj is to be a self-sustaining snack that can be easily carried in a pack, but we decided to involve it in more of a meal time than snack time.
It was a tasty treat to the end of a nice outdoor meal, and we did break it apart to share with our friends who foolishly didn’t bring one along. As a dietitian, I’m not sure I’d call a Kvikk Lunsj a well-rounded snack for your next hiking or ski adventure, but it will surely add some happiness to the trip, if you like chocolate.
The Mountain Laws according to the inside packaging of my Kvikk Lunsj:
Plan your trip and report where you are going.
Adapt the trip to your ability and conditions.
Pay attention to weather and avalanche warnings.
Be prepared for bad weather and cold, even on short trips.
Bring the necessary equipment to help yourself and others.
Take safe routes. Recognize avalanche-prone terrain and unsafe ice.
Use a map and compass. Always know where you are.
Turn around in time, there is no shame in turning around.
Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.
HAVE A GOOD AND SAFE TRIP!
