Christmas baking will be happening this weekend. I’m not sure if I’ll get around to vörtbröd – probably not, because lussebullar and gingerbread cookies will have priority – but in case I do, I am all set with wort extract.

Wort extract can be bought online, and I know some breweries sell it as well. I went to Stockholms Aeter & Essencefabrik, conveniently located just a few blocks from my city office. Shelf after shelf of jarred spices, tiny vials of mysterious “essences”, and containers of all sorts of other things. If I ever need orange flower essence or dried chamomile, I now know where to go.

Less exotic, but about as unusual for me to buy as wort extract, was a small bottle of brandy. Of which I intend to never take a single sip, but it is necessary both for mincemeat and for brandy sauce to serve with the Christmas pudding.