Café Maa: a dive into Finnish gastronomy in the heart of Paris

A discreet country in Northern Europe, but oh so rich and incredibly beautiful thanks to its resplendent and preserved nature, Finland stands out from its Swedish and Norwegian neighbors by its language, but also by its culture and even its gastronomy. For two years now, Parisians and passing tourists have had the opportunity to discover and taste some Finnish specialties thanks to the opening of the Café Maa. After welcoming the Café Coutume, the ground floor of theFinnish Institute gave birth to Café Maa in spring 2022.

Focusing on refined decoration and a friendly atmosphere, as the Finns know how to do so well, the Cafe Maa – which means ‘earth‘ in Finnish – has everything to take us on a journey into the great outdoors in northern Europe. Entering this beautiful space, bathed in light, we discover two large tables, several other smaller wooden tables and also two benches installed just below the new temporary exhibition of the moment dedicated to the artist Nanna Susi.

Then there is of course the counter in front of which customers come to lick their lips before placing an order with the chef. Alexandra Marschan-Claude. At the origin of the place with Johanna Råman, former director of the Finnish Institute, this Finnish chef, of Slavic origin, has been based in Paris for more than thirty years now. After beginnings in perfumery, notably for Van Cleef and Arpels, Alexandra Marschan-Claude changed direction in 2010 by enrolling in training at the Ferrandi school. Later appointed head of the Finnish Embassy in Paris, she will finally join the Finnish Institute team in 2022 to give birth to the Café Maa on April 26 of that same year.

For Café Maa, Alexandra Marschan-Claude focuses on seasonal cuisine, fresh and local products. Here, the menu changes with the seasons. Mixing different influences, the chef likes to revisit traditional Nordic recipes by incorporating vegetables, herbs and spices, such as the famous juniper berries or dill. The chef’s little extra? Perfect presentation and colorful plates that quickly take us on a journey to its country of origin!

On the menu that afternoon? Ideal suggestions for spring including ‘Maa salad‘, composed of the famous kale, very popular with the Finns, mustard sprouts, some beautiful and tasty strawberries, marinated fennel, an egg, and a potato salad. For the biggest appetites, the Café Maa propose ‘the Kala plate‘ honoring the fish with smoked sprat, marinated herring, smoked salmon, dill sauce, salmon rillettes, marinated red onions, cucumber salad, kale, apple salad earth and rye bread.

Several typically Finnish specialties can also be tasted on site, such as ‘Reissumies‘ ; rye bread topped with smoked salmon, marinated herring or even smoked sprat. It should be noted that rye bread is a real institution in the country. It was also elected a national culinary specialty in 2017, on the occasion of the centenary of Finnish independence! For the Café Maa, the chef suggests discovering this bread in the form of a toast with typically Nordic flavors. For our part, we fall for the ‘Reissumies‘ topped with tender asparagus, broccoli, marinated fennel, a creamy and succulent green hummus, then blueberries, dill and kale. A specialty to be enjoyed without a cover, with your fingers only, like in Finland!

Another flagship proposition to discover absolutely at Café Maa ? There ‘Karjalanpiirakka‘, the famous Karelian pie or dugout made from rye dough, filled with rice and garnished with a dough made from chopped hard-boiled egg and butter. Although the recipe seems simple, it is much more complex than it seems. The preparation time is long for a result to die for! For the record, this emblematic specialty of the country originates from Karelia, a region located in eastern Finland. Enjoyed as a snack there, the popular Karelian canoe has its origins during the Second World War.

We continue with the sweet offerings which are sure to seduce the taste buds of even the most gourmands. There we obviously find the essential cinnamon bun, also tasted in Scandinavia. Favorite on our side for the ‘Voisilmäpulla‘, the cardamom brioche, and the ‘Marja pannukakku‘, a delicious and generous fruit clafoutis topped with whipped cream!

For the rest, sweet tooths will also surely succumb to the ‘Murupiirakka‘, an apple, blueberry and strawberry crumble, with ‘Puolukkakakku‘, a cranberry tart, or even ‘Rahkaa ja marjoja’a fromage blanc with blueberries or raspberries.

And to accompany it all, the Café Maa offers a range of hot or cold beverages, such as blueberry or cranberry juices, a succulent Finnish Chai latte (Mettä infusion, fir, black pepper, cardamom and cow’s milk/oats) without forgetting of course coffee, which guests love. Finnish. At Café Maa, the coffees are artisanally roasted by the Kawa Coffee workshops (Paris) and Frukt Coffee Roasters (Turku in Finland). Find the entire current menu on the official website of the Finnish Institute.

Thanks to these succulent and inspiring Nordic recipes, the Café Maa is always full and now has many regulars. So, want to be part of it? Meet now at theFinnish Institute, in the heart of Paris, for a gourmet and successful immersion in the Land of a Thousand Lakes! Note that Café Maa is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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