Egils Appelsín
Icelanders love lobster!
The Classic Icelandic Soda
On the trail of the Reykjavik Lobster Hut Lobster heaven Anyone who has ever been to Iceland will know how popular the downtown foodie trailers are, selling mainly hot-dogs and hamburgers. Now there’s a new Hut on the block, with a fresh street food offering – the oh-so scrumptious Icelandic lobster.
Lovely little langoustine Iceland’s ‘lobster’ has a delicious snowwhite flesh, akin to that of langoustine (scampi). As healthy as it is tasty, it takes centre stage in salads and soups, but is often enjoyed neat, sandwiched between some fresh bread or with lashings of buttery garlic. It really is the quintessential taste of Iceland, which is why it’s so exciting to see the Reykjavik Lobster Hut 60
out and about, sharing the love and at a very reasonable price.
The world is your lobster The passion behind the Hut is entrepreneur and kitchen queen, Fjóla Sigurðardóttir. The lobster ‘lightbulb’ moment came when holidaying in Thailand. After enjoying the concept of the little cocktail wagons that do the rounds there, Fjóla came home, hooked up with her fishmonger son and promptly sold her car to finance the business. Reaction to date has been overwhelmingly positive.
Deliciously simple A simple menu features lobster salad for a light but tasty meal; delicious steaming lobster soup; and the lobster baguette,
which comes in full or half-size portions. The latter is perfect for a meal on the move or to take away for a sit down in the city´s centre. Add extra lobster to any of the above if you choose and wash it down with some pure Icelandic spring water. The Lobster Hut is now open from 21:00 until early in the morning at Lækjartorg, city´s main square. Perfect for the early birds or the ones arriving late to town. The Lobster Hut open daily at Kalkofnsvegur in the city´s centre. The Lobster Hut, City Centre Opening hours: Mon - Frid 11:00 – 19:00 Weekends 11:00 – 19:00 and 21:00 -05:00 The Hut is the pop up lobster house in Iceland. Look for the Lobster Hut on facebook.
Put some heritage in your beverage There is probably not a single Icelander living who hasn’t enjoyed a glass of Egils Appelsín. This refreshing orange soda is pretty much the nation’s favourite beverage, produced in Iceland since 1955 by the legendary Ölgerðin Egill Skallagrimsson brewery. Ölgerðin is the Icelandic word for brewery, and brewing beer was the company’s primary objective when it was established over 100 years ago. Since then, it has gained a reputation as a top producer and exporter of high quality drinks, all made with pure Icelandic water.
Sparkling Orange It took 25 years, so the story goes, for Sigurður Sveinsson to hatch the perfect
recipe for this beautifully sweet, sparkling nectar. Originally a young apprentice when the firm first started producing soft drinks, Sigurður struggled to achieve the vibrant orange colour that’s now synonymous with Egils Appelsín. This distinctive soda has since earned its place in the history books, and to this day is loved and consumed by Icelanders of all ages.
Celebrate the taste On festive occasions, Icelanders like nothing better than to pair up Egils Appelsín with Egils Malt, a smooth nonalcoholic malt with hints of caramel and liquorice that was one of the brewery’s first commercial products back in 1913.
At Christmas, you can buy it ready-mixed under the name ‘Jólaöl’ (Christmas ale), but you can sample it over the summer months too, as the vital ingredients are available in all reputable bars, restaurants and supermarkets. If you’re looking for something typically Icelandic to take home, forget the lava balls and fluffy puffins – pick up some Egils Appelsín and Malt at the Duty Free and have yourself an Iceland-fest with friends and family.
More information on beverages and brewery tours: www.olgerdin.is 61