This Icelandic Rye Bread is Baked in the Ground

One of the best parts of traveling is trying new food, and a real must-try Icelandic food is rye bread. It's called "rúgbrauð" in Icelandic, and it has a sweet and slightly spiced flavor. It's also so soft that it could almost be considered a cake!

Typically, Icelandic rye bread is served with a "plokkfiskur" fish stew, though it's delicious on its own. Enjoy it with plenty of butter, and you can pair it with all sorts of toppings, though it's especially tasty with smoked salmon.

What makes it truly unique is that, traditionally, it's made by burying the bread in a pot in the ground, where the Earth's geothermal heat takes care of the baking process. This type of rye bread is called "hverabrauð," or hot spring bread, and it's delicious. Check out the video below to see how it's done and where you can try it!

You'll find rye bread in most Iceland bakeries and even grocery stores, though these are generally baked in modern ovens. This kind of bread is often featured on food and drink tours in Reykjavik, and while they're really good, enjoying hot spring rye bread baked in the ground is pretty special.

If you want to enjoy authentic geothermal bread, the easiest way to do so is with this culinary tour from the Fontana Spa. If you have the time, you should definitely give it a try while in Iceland!

You'll be able to enjoy a dip in the Fontana geothermal spa and experience the famous Icelandic bathing culture while taking the chance to enjoy a delicious rye bread tasting. You'll be able to hit two birds with one stone, or as we say in Icelandic, "hit two flies with one hit."

The Fontana spa is located by the town of Laugarvatn, just over an hour's drive from Reykjavik if you have a rental car. You can even include it as a stop while exploring the Golden Circle, as all Golden Circle tours pass through the town!