When exploring international cuisine, you often come across unique flavors and ingredients that add a new twist to familiar dishes. In Finland, one such surprising addition is reindeer meat, which has become a popular pizza topping. While this might seem unusual to those in the United States, it’s a common choice for those seeking a different culinary experience in the Nordic country.
The idea of using reindeer as a pizza topping gained traction after an Italian prime minister made a remark about the prevalence of marinated reindeer on Finnish menus. In response, a Finnish restaurant decided to create a pizza featuring smoked reindeer, naming it in honor of the minister. This creation, known as Pizza Berlusconi, went on to win an award at an international pizza contest in New York City. Since its debut in 2008, the reindeer-topped pizza has remained a staple at Kotipizza, one of the most popular pizza chains in the Nordic region. Reindeer meat, which is rich in vitamins and micronutrients, offers a rich, gamey flavor and a chewy texture, making it a distinctive and healthy topping option.
Originally, the reindeer pizza was made with a rye crust, but Kotipizza has since expanded its offerings to include keto and gluten-free crust options. The pizza, now called “Poro,” which means “reindeer” in Finnish, features standard ingredients like tomato sauce and cheese, along with chanterelle mushrooms and red onion slices. Customers can also customize their Poro pizza with different sauces such as barbecue or chili mayo, and additional toppings like bleu or feta cheese, air-fried pork neck, garlic, toasted bacon, paprika, and arugula sprouts. Some chefs even add cloudberry jam to introduce a fresh, tart flavor unique to the Arctic region.
For those unable to travel to Finland, smoked reindeer meat is available for purchase through specialty online stores, allowing you to recreate this unique pizza topping at home. However, be prepared to pay a premium for this delicacy, as reindeer and caribou meat are limited in supply and priced accordingly. A pound of reindeer sausage can cost around $50, while a pound of hamburger meat can set you back at least $100.