Sima: A Finnish Style Mead (The Beginning of it all)

 If you haven't tried Sima yet, you're missing out on a delightful and refreshing experience. Sima is a traditional  Finnish-style mead created with a unique blend of lemons, honey, sugar, raisins, and bread yeast. This sweet and slightly carbonated drink is perfect for savoring during the summer months, and it's an ideal way to celebrate Vappu Day (also known as May Day) in Finland.

 Vappu Day is a joyous celebration of spring, marking summer's arrival and winter's end. This festive occasion is typically celebrated with picnics, parades, funnel cake, and the drinking of Sima. The drink's light, effervescent quality makes it perfect for enjoying in the sun with friends and family.

Fortunately, making Sima is much easier than you might think. You can create this delectable mead at home with a few simple ingredients and some basic preparation. The recipe consists of honey, sugar, and lemon juice mixed in a large pot, followed by the addition of water and stirring until everything is dissolved. Raisins and bread yeast are then added to the mixture, and the pot is covered and left to sit for a day or two. Finally, the liquid is strained and bottled. The longer the Sima is left to sit, the stronger and more carbonated it will become.

Sima holds a special place in my heart, as it was the first mead I ever made at the age of 16. My science teacher had recommended the recipe, found in a Scandinavian cookbook, and I was immediately hooked. Sima has since become a beloved tradition in Finland and beyond, inspiring a lifelong passion for mead-making and fermentation.

This Vappu Day, why not raise a glass of Sima and celebrate the arrival of summer? Savor the sweet, citrusy flavors and the light, crisp carbonation, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Sima is more than just a drink - it's a symbol of renewal, new beginnings, and the hope of brighter days to come.