A day of eating like in Sweden – Smaklig måltid!
Today we want to introduce you to a few typical Swedish dishes to give you a better insight into the land of moose and red wooden houses. It is known for its long-standing traditions and varied cuisine.
The emphasis is not only on conviviality and enjoyment, but also on sustainability and regionality. Swedish food culture is characterized by external influences such as the long and cold winters, but also by nature, which has a lot to offer in summer.
Fun fact: Have you ever heard of “everyman’s right”? This right means that anyone in Sweden is allowed to camp or pick berries in the countryside. That’s why most Swedes spend a lot of time in nature when the weather is good.
Breakfast – Swedish morning magic
A typical Swedish breakfast often consists of different types of bread such as crispbread, wholemeal bread or Swedish “limpa” bread. It is often accompanied by spreads such as butter, cheese and sometimes salmon or other types of fish. Eggs, yoghurt, muesli and fruit such as berries can also be part of the breakfast. Coffee or tea and juice are usually drunk for a refreshing start to the day.
Lunch – Bringing tradition to the plate
In Sweden, you can find a similar specialty to the Danish smørrebrød, known as smörgås. These are open sandwiches topped with various toppings such as smoked salmon, pickled herring, prawns, sausages, cheese, eggs and vegetables. The sandwiches are often spread with butter or remoulade and garnished with various herbs or spices.
Another popular lunch in Sweden is pytt i panna. This hearty dish consists of diced potatoes, onions and meat. The ingredients are fried in a pan until they are golden brown and crispy. It is served with fried eggs and often with slices of pickled beetroot.
Dinner – Swedish delicacies to round off the day
- Eating together: At dinner, family members and friends come together to review the day and spend time together. It is often seen as a time to relax and socialize.
- Cosiness: Swedish dinners are often characterized by a relaxed and cosy atmosphere. Candlelight, warm blankets and inviting surroundings help to make guests feel comfortable and welcome.
- Healthy food: In Sweden, emphasis is placed on a balanced diet, which is also reflected in the evening meal. Fresh ingredients such as vegetables, fish and wholegrain products are often used to prepare nutritious meals.
- Regional influences: Swedish cuisine varies depending on the region, and this is also reflected in the evening meal. Local specialties and traditional dishes can play an important role on the menu and emphasize the regional taste.
- Time for rituals: Some families have certain rituals or traditions around dinner, such as telling stories or playing board games after dinner. These rituals can help to strengthen the bond between family members and make dinner a special and meaningful event.
Overall, dinner in Sweden is more than just a meal – it’s an opportunity to get together, relax and enjoy the pleasure of eating and being together. But what is typically served for dinner in Sweden?
We probably all know them: Swedish meatballs, also known as köttbullar. They are usually served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam or often with a brown sauce and peas. The combination of sweet and savory gives the dish that certain something.
According to tradition, Swedish meatballs have their origins in Turkish köfte. King Charles XIII spent several years in exile in the Ottoman Empire during his reign in the 18th century and brought the recipe back to his homeland on his return.
In Sweden, there is even a kind of dinner, as we know it from Germany, for example. Here it is called smörgåsbord: a variety of hot and cold dishes are served in buffet form. Smoked and marinated fish, pickled herrings, different types of cheese, sausage, potato salad, pickled cucumbers and a variety of breads are popular.
Snack time!
Fika is the Swedish coffee break. There is no real translation for the word, but it can be compared to the German ritual of coffee and cake or the English tea time. Typically, you drink a cup of coffee and eat a cinnamon bun (a kanelbulle). The pastry became widely known in the 1950s and has been the symbol of Swedish home cooking ever since. But the smell of fresh cinnamon buns in a bakery is also simply wonderful.
Now that we’ve looked at the tradition of the fika, the Swedish coffee break, let’s take a look at the preferred type of coffee: Filter coffee. In Sweden, filter coffee is the drink of choice during fika. Immerse yourself in the world of filter coffee and enjoy the unique taste of FILKA.
Did you know that the Swedes drink much more coffee than us Germans? On average, a person consumes 9 kilos of coffee per year, mostly at home or at work. Filter coffee is particularly popular due to its short preparation time. Immerse yourself in the world of filter coffee and enjoy the unique taste of FILKA.
Another typical snack in Sweden is the Knäckebröd.
Knäckebröd used to be the only bread that Swedes had at home during long, cold winters. On the one hand, it keeps for a long time and on the other, it is quite healthy thanks to the fiber and rye flour. It goes well with cheese and sausage, but is also often eaten simply with butter.
Each person in Sweden eats around 4 kilos of crispbread per year.
Dessert
When Swedes come to visit, coffee and cookies are often on the table. According to Swedish tradition, guests are served seven different types of cookies. In the past, this was a way of welcoming guests and showing that you felt at home. Although this tradition is very old, some of it is still practiced today.
Jordgubbstårta is a typical Swedish strawberry cake made from meringue and sponge cake, filled with whipped cream, strawberry jam and lots of fresh strawberries. This cake is often eaten in summer, especially at Midsommarafton, the pagan celebration of the summer solstice.
All in all, Swedish cuisine is a blend of tradition and innovation, reflecting the diversity of ingredients and the values of community and conviviality. From delicious fish dishes to savory meatballs and sweet cinnamon buns, Swedish cuisine has something for everyone.
Cheers, skål and smaklig måltid – discover the world of Swedish cuisine and let yourself be enchanted!
