All about Estonian black bread
There is no food quite as quintessentially Estonian as dark rye bread. It is an essential component of any traditional Estonian meal.
A dietary staple and a symbol of cultural identity
Estonians love their black bread. What is it about rye bread that makes it so special?
Rye is a hearty grain that can withstand cold weather and poor soil, so it thrives in Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe. Dark rye bread, known as must leib in Estonian, is an essential part of Estonian cuisine and has been for centuries. This traditional Estonian food is an absolute must-try for all visitors!
Estonia's medieval export
Rye has been cultivated in Estonia for more than a thousand years and is a central part of the nation's traditional agriculture. Rituals for prosperity and protection of farms sprang up alongside the grain, and during the Middle Ages, Estonia was known across Europe as a major rye exporter.
Sangaste rye
The winter rye variety Sangaste, created by Count Friedrich Georg Magnus von Berg in 1875 at Sangaste Manor in South Estonia, is the oldest cultivated rye variety in the world. You can still visit the manor park and walk in the footsteps of the "Rye Count" on a guided tour.
Rye cultivation still plays a major role in Estonian agriculture. The Estonian Rye Society is made up of dozens of private individuals and institutions dedicated to preserving rye. In 2025, they commemorated the 180th anniversary of Count von Berg's birth.
Photo author: Aron Urb
If you travel around Estonia in the summer, see if you can spot the rye fields.
Blue cornflowers, Estonia's national flower, can be found growing among the stalks.
Simple and fresh
Shoppers today are greeted by a nearly overwhelming variety of black bread in Estonian supermarkets, but nothing quite compares to a homemade loaf. Commercial rye bread often incorporates wheat flour into the mixture, which gives the loaf a fluffier texture compared to the density of pure rye bread. Fresh rye bread should have a crispy crust.
Rye bread is best enjoyed without too many additions. You can enjoy a slice with soups, alongside main courses, with Baltic herring on top, or with a dab of salted butter.
When you tuck into your meal, remember to say "Jätku leiba!" — it's like saying bon appetit, but it literally means "May you always have bread."
Photo author: Katri Sander, Nõva Bakery
Where to find good Estonian black bread
Quality handmade bread can be found in neighborhood bakeries across Estonia. Most restaurants offer black bread as a starter, too — just be careful not to eat too much before your main dish arrives! If you're still longing for the bread after your meal, some restaurants even sell you loaves to go.
Of course, you don't necessarily have to go out to a restaurant or bakery to get good rye bread. If you'd like to try baking your own loaf, the ingredients are simple: water, rye flour, salt, sugar, and leaven. Seeds, dried fruits, and nuts also make tasty additions. Patience is required, as the process is lengthy, as outlined in this recipe.
However, if you want to learn from a pro, you can try out a bread-baking workshop, like the ones listed below.
Learn how to make traditional Estonian bread
Bread-making classes offer a recipe for happiness and a chance to knead your stress away.
Where to buy black bread
It's everywhere! Check grocery stores, markets, local bakeries, and cafés.
Get inspired
Last updated
21.05.2025