Why Finland Is the Happiest Country on Earth | Reindeer, Saunas & Wild Foraging | DIRT Finland
Why Finland Is the Happiest Country on Earth | Reindeer, Saunas & Wild Foraging | DIRT Finland
Notable moments
- 01:49 Foraging for Wild Herbs and Mushrooms
Chef Sami Tallberg guides host Zach Chance through the lush Finnish forest to forage for native culinary ingredients like wood sorrel, wild parsley, and birch mushrooms. They examine the harvested plants along the dirt trail while discussing Finland's historic Everyman's Right law that allows public foraging across private lands.
Mathildedal, Finland - 04:20 Harvesting New Potatoes at Kepuinen Farm
Host Zach Chance joins the Vainio family at Kepuinen Farm to dig up early season new potatoes straight from the soil. The family demonstrates a unique Finnish technique of cleaning the freshly harvested spuds using a power drill attached to a toilet brush inside a bucket of water.
Mathildedal, Finland - 05:53 Visiting Löyly Sauna and Baltic Plunge
In Helsinki, host Zach Chance meets sauna master Matti Markkanen at the modern wooden Löyly Sauna situated on the waterfront. After steaming in the sauna room and hitting themselves with birch branches, visitors take an invigorating plunge into the cold Baltic Sea.
Löyly Sauna, Helsinki - 06:38 Trying Reindeer Hot Dogs at Market Square
While exploring downtown Helsinki, host Zach Chance visits the bustling open-air Market Square located beside the harbor. He purchases sweet local strawberries from a market stall and eats a grilled reindeer hot dog topped with pickles and crispy onions.
Market Square, Helsinki - 07:30 Dining at Rogue Rogue Restaurant
Chef Joona Havisalmi prepares an updated interpretation of traditional Finnish salmon soup, known as Lohikeitto, on the outdoor patio at Rogue Rogue during Midsummer celebrations. The dish features pan-seared fish atop a rich broth filled with fresh mussels, cockles, and herbs enjoyed beside live music.
Helsinki, Finland - 09:31 Feeding Reindeer at Konttaniemi Farm
Host Zach Chance meets sixth-generation reindeer herder Mari Konttaniemi at her historic farm in Lapland to hand-feed free-roaming reindeer. He also learns the traditional technique of tossing a lasso onto wooden antler targets set up in the yard.
Konttaniemi Reindeer Farm, Finland - 11:55 Fishing Along Kemijoki River on Aino Island
Host Zach Chance joins host Ilkka Länkinen on Aino Island in the middle of the Kemijoki River to cast lines into the current for perch and pike. Afterward, they prepare a traditional slow-cooked feast of bacon-wrapped reindeer meat prepared in an earth pit and over open flames.
Aino Island, Finland - 14:40 Attending Solstice Music Festival in Ruka
Festivalgoers gather on top of a scenic ski hill in Ruka to celebrate the 24-hour midnight sun at the Solstice Music Festival. Artistic Director Joni Stanley and DJ Sala host the event, featuring live electronic dance music sets under overcast summer skies.
Ruka, Finland - 19:15 Sauna Session at Löyly Kontti in Oulu
Oura tech executives Miklu Silvanto and Tommi Heinonen take Zach Chance to Löyly Kontti, a public beachfront sauna container in Oulu. After steaming inside the wooden cabin, the group cools off by wading directly into the sea waters adjacent to the beach.
Oulu, Finland - 21:18 Himmeli Straw Crafting at Korsholm Farm
Artist Eija Koski and her husband Kari host a visit to their organic rye farm in Korsholm, where Eija crafts intricate geometric hanging mobiles known as Himmeli out of dried rye straw. Afterwards, they share a picnic of dark rye bread and rye pies served at a table placed directly in the rye field.
Korsholm, Finland - 24:08 Rye Whiskey Tasting at Kyrö Distillery
Co-founder Miko Heinilä leads a tour through the historic Kyrö Distillery in Isokyrö, showcasing oak aging barrels where malt rye whiskey matures. The experience includes sniffing barrel wood, learning about the sauna-inspired origins of the brand, and tasting rye spirits inside the distillery lounge.
Kyrö Distillery, Isokyrö - 26:11 Exploring Herbal Gardens at Frantsila Farm
Anna and Jupiter Cormier welcome visitors to Frantsila Farm, an organic herb estate that has been in Jupiter's family since the 1700s. Guests walk through garden beds picking French tarragon, sweet cicely, and clover while exploring a spiral stone labyrinth built into the lawn.
Frantsila Organic Herb Farm, Finland - 30:14 Early Morning Fishing Trip in Kustavi
Chef and fisherman Antto Melasniemi takes host Zach Chance out on a motorboat into the Archipelago at 3:30 AM to check fishing nets in the early morning light. They pull fresh perch out of the water and prepare a rustic fish soup cooked in a cast iron pot over an open campfire on a rocky island.
Kustavi, Finland - 34:15 Preparing a Foraged Final Feast
Chef Sami Tallberg joins host Zach Chance in the kitchen to prepare an elaborate dinner using freshly harvested Finnish ingredients. The meal features reindeer tartare with wild mushrooms, torch-charred new potatoes, smoked pike served with roe-butter sauce, and a wild foraged salad enjoyed at an outdoor garden table.
Frantsila Organic Herb Farm, Finland
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