Sunny Coffee

The sun can barely be seen in the winter darkness.In winter, many areas of Iceland are plunged into pitch darkness not so much due to the proximity of the country to the Arctic circle, but because of the mountainous terrain. Therefore, in many valleys, the appearance of the first rays of the sun from behind the mountain was always perceived as an overture of the coming spring, as its golden banner.

Peasants from the surrounding estates gathered in the agreed place, trying to bake pancakes and have time to brew coffee until the capricious sun again disappeared behind the peaks. The fun continued after sunset and resumed at the reappearance of the sun, until its light again became commonplace.

Despite the remoteness of Iceland from the coffee-producing powers, the hot invigorating drink, which appeared in 1772, immediately won the hearts of Icelanders. Besides coffee, only tobacco and alcohol were in high demand, regardless of the ability of the population to provide themselves with basic necessities. Coffee was just that outlet, that minimal luxury for the exhausted hungry peasant that made him feel like a human being. And to rejoice with the neighbors the long-awaited appearance of the sun!

The date of the celebration, of course, depends on the appearance of the sun in a particular area, but in large settlements, the date is usually averaged and fixed. Today, for example, there is a reason to raise a cup of tea for the residents of Reykjavík who waited for their sun.