We treat food, especially bread, with great respect. Latvia is a Nordic country and it says much about its cuisine – local food is rather fat and rich. German and Russian cuisine is especially widespread. The main course usually consists of potatoes, porridges, pancakes, soups or similar dishes. We eat lots of potatoes and often call them "the other bread". Traditional Latvian cuisine includes grey peas, which are traditionally eaten on the Christmas Eve. There is even a belief that if you eat a lot of grey peas on Christmas and the New Year’s Eve, you will have fewer tears the following year. During Jāņi celebration in June, Latvians usually eat caraway cheese and bacon rolls (pīrāgi), preferably home-made. They match very well with local beers. In late summer women make jam, fruit preserves and pickles. During summer and autumn seasons Latvians enjoy picking wild berries and mushrooms. Mushrooms (especially chanterelles and edible boletus) are good for sauces, but berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries) are excellent for jams. Picking berries and mushrooms is a very pleasant thing to do, however, there are things you must know—first of all, the best forests, and secondly, you have to be able to distinguish different mushroom species and avoid those which are poisonous. All products that you find in stores and markets have been certified, therefore purchase of food products is safe. However, do not forget to check the expiry date of the products you intend to buy. More information: www.kultura.lv