Lakka

Lakka is a term with several distinct meanings in botany, technology and geography.

In botanical and culinary contexts, lakka is the Finnish name for the cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), a perennial fruiting plant native to Arctic and subarctic bogs across northern Europe, Asia and North America. The amber-colored fruit is valued for its tart, sweet flavor and is commonly used in jams, desserts, liqueurs and preserves in Nordic cuisine. Cloudberries are harvested wild and are culturally and economically significant in regions where they grow.

In computing, Lakka is a lightweight Linux distribution designed to turn small computers and single-board devices into retro gaming consoles. Built around the RetroArch emulation frontend and using libretro cores, Lakka provides a minimal operating system with a unified interface for running a wide range of classic video game systems. It is distributed as an appliance-style image for platforms such as Raspberry Pi, ODROID and x86-based hardware.

Lakka is also the name of a small coastal village and bay on the Greek island of Paxos. Known for its sheltered harbor and tourist amenities, Lakka is a local center for boating, swimming and accommodation and serves as a gateway for visitors exploring the island’s northern coast.

Each use of the word lakka reflects different cultural and technical contexts, so specific meaning is generally inferred from subject area.