Directory

Green Beanie is the craft soda range from Under Ytan, a mariculture company growing algae and seaweed in Åland. The team—Joel Lindholm, Viktor Eriksson, Johan Törnqvist, and Anders Ingves—has experimented with different products from microalgae and seaweed, and this is their first line of drinks. Their Gutweed and Bladderwrack sodas are named after two common seaweeds from the northern archipelago, blended with hops, sugar, spices, vinegar, and citrus. The result is a craft soda with a subtle mineral edge, carrying a hint of the sea.

Saloniemen Juustola in Laitila, run by Riitta and Jouni Saloniemi since 1998, has grown from a small herd of goats into a full-scale organic creamery. Today they produce award-winning cheeses and yogurts, as well as some natural cosmetics. Over the years the farm has also introduced Finncattle and a few workhorses, and Riitta is even considering adding sheep. “As long as the heart beats and tells us to keep going, we will,” she says.

Sanna Reponen is a small-scale organic farmer in Sulkava, growing garlic across almost her entire 500 square meter plot. She also produces small amounts of oats and feed for a neighbouring organic dairy farm. Her garlic is highly sought after, often sold out before the next season even begins. Sanna keeps a low profile online and on social media, earning her the mysterious nickname “the invisible farmer.”

Under Ytan works with algae and seaweed in Åland, with the aim of shifting how the Baltic Sea is seen and cared for. The team – Joel Lindholm, Viktor Eriksson, Johan Törnqvist and Anders Ingves – is developing a mariculture project in Björkskär, growing macroalgae and seaweed, with plans to include mussels as the system grows. They’re currently moving from prototypes towards a full farming setup. The work supports biodiversity while producing food at the same time, something the team enjoys exploring in the kitchen, from sesame-fried Ulva with chilli to sea truffle mayonnaise.

Viiniverla is an organic producer of non-alcoholic wines and drinks based in Verla. Their range includes sparkling wine, traditional lemonades, glögg, and juices such as apple-ginger glögg or red gooseberry fizz, all made from local ingredients, without artificial flavourings, sweeteners, or colouring. Their responsible approach extends beyond ingredients, covering cooking methods, energy use, and recycling across the production. Alongside their own production, Viiniverla offers a fruit juicing service: anyone can bring apples from their garden to be turned into juice, helping to capture the harvest and prevent surplus fruit from going to waste.