Our Story | Fika Spice™ | Inspired by the Swedish Tradition of Fika
Our Story
Fika Spice™ didn’t begin as a business. It began as a way of living—shaped over more than 30 years together through family, movement, Swedish traditions, coffee, and a deep commitment to doing life well.
Long before Fika Spice existed, Holly was experiencing the true meaning of fika.
Both of Holly’s grandmothers immigrated from Sweden and eventually settled in Duluth, Minnesota. In a twist that always makes us smile, they both married Norwegian men. It must have been true love.
Some of Holly’s most treasured childhood memories are gathered around their kitchen tables. Beautiful porcelain coffee cups and delicate plates would be set out, followed by fresh coffee and homemade cookies, pastries, or cakes that somehow seemed to appear out of nowhere. There was never any rush. Conversation came first. Laughter filled the room. Family and friends always felt welcome.
Those moments weren’t simply about coffee and treats.
They were about slowing down, enjoying one another’s company, and making people feel seen, valued, and loved.
Without realizing it at the time, Holly was learning one of Sweden’s greatest traditions—the art of fika. A daily pause to enjoy coffee, something sweet, meaningful conversation, and the people around you.
Those memories never left her.
As we raised our own four children, we intentionally chose to continue that tradition. We wanted our children to grow up knowing that life isn’t just about staying busy or accomplishing more. We wanted them to understand the importance of pausing together, sharing coffee or a warm drink, enjoying a homemade treat, talking without distractions, and making time for the people you love. We wanted fika to become part of our family’s story, just as it had been part of Holly’s.
At the same time, another journey was beginning.
More than 30 years ago, while Holly was earning her master’s degree, she became fascinated by the remarkable flavors and naturally occurring antioxidant compounds found in spices. Together we began learning, experimenting, and blending different spices into our everyday foods and drinks.
Athletics were at the center of our lives. Basketball gyms, track meets, early mornings, and long drives became our rhythm. We trained, competed, coached, and raised our four children in that same environment—where consistency, discipline, recovery, and healthy habits mattered every day.
Through it all, we learned something simple but powerful.
The small choices you make every day shape your long-term health and well-being.
Coffee had become part of our daily ritual, but with four young children running around the house, opening nine different spice jars every morning simply wasn’t practical. We wanted all of those carefully selected spices in one simple blend that could be enjoyed with a quick sprinkle.
That simple need gave birth to Fika Spice.
What began as a homemade recipe for our own kitchen slowly became something we couldn’t imagine living without.
Over the years we continued refining the recipe, beginning with smooth Ceylon cinnamon before adding rich cocoa, Madagascar vanilla bean powder, ginger, nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, cayenne pepper, and clove. Every ingredient earned its place because of the warmth, balance, aroma, and flavor it brought to the blend.
We weren’t trying to create a product.
We were creating something we wanted to enjoy every single day.
Coffee followed us everywhere. We brewed it at campsites in state and national parks after rainy nights around the fire. We enjoyed it before early morning practices and after long days of coaching. We found memorable coffee shops tucked into small towns while traveling to basketball tournaments and track meets across the country.
And wherever we were, we intentionally practiced fika.
Whether around our kitchen table, beside a campfire, or inside a favorite neighborhood café, we made time to pause, reconnect, laugh, and simply enjoy being together.
Those moments reminded us that coffee is more than a beverage.
It’s often the reason people gather.
It’s an invitation to slow down.
To listen.
To reconnect.
To make memories.
Fika Spice became part of that ritual.
Over time, our worlds naturally came together—Swedish heritage, family, athletics, wellness, coffee, and our love of spices.
Fika Spice became the expression of all of them.
Today, Fika Spice is a thoughtfully crafted blend of nine premium spices designed to elevate coffee and so much more. But what it represents goes far beyond flavor.
It reflects our belief that wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. That the most meaningful habits are often the simplest ones. That consistency matters more than perfection. And that every day deserves a moment to pause.
With one simple sprinkle, your coffee becomes warmer, richer, and more satisfying—without syrups, artificial flavors, or unnecessary additives.
More importantly, it becomes an invitation.
An invitation to practice fika.
To connect.
To be present.
To slow down long enough to appreciate the people around you.
Today, every bottle of Fika Spice carries our family’s story—our Swedish heritage, decades of athletics, raising four wonderful children, countless miles traveled, years of learning, and more than 30 years of refining the blend we still enjoy every day.
Now, we’re honored to share it with you.
Whether you’re an athlete pursuing your next goal, a parent balancing a busy life, someone beginning a quiet morning, or simply a coffee lover looking for something better, we hope Fika Spice becomes part of your daily ritual too.
Because the smallest daily rituals, practiced with intention, have the power to shape a lifetime.
So wherever you are…
Pour your coffee.
Sprinkle in Fika Spice.
Share a conversation.
Savor the moment.
Practice fika.
Fika Spice™ — The Spice That Loves You Back™
Sincerely,
Holly & John Ellenson
Founders, Fika Spice™
