Swedish food culture

In Swedish they are called "kanelbullar" and are an integral part of everyday Swedish life. Whether at a company meeting, at a coffee party at home or at a picnic on a lonely cliff on the coast - the Swedes always have coffee and cinnamon rolls with them.

So it's no wonder that they also appear in the stories of the well-known Swedish children's book author Astrid Lindgren: Anyone who has read "Karlsson from the Roof" may still remember how Karlsson stole them from Lillebror's strict nanny, Mrs. Bock. Why? Because cinnamon rolls are so delicious! That's why they even have their own holiday in Sweden. The "Kanelbullens dag" is celebrated annually on October 4th. So, would you like to join in the celebration?

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“Pepparkakor” is the Swedish word for gingerbread. While today cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves provide the characteristic taste of the popular pastry, pepper was still used as an ingredient in the Middle Ages, which is probably how the gingerbread got its name.

In Sweden, too, most gingerbreads are eaten in December and are closely linked to Christmas. But that wasn't always the case. In the Middle Ages, gingerbread - mostly baked by nuns - was sold in pharmacies. They were considered a cure for various ailments. For example, John I, King of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, was prescribed gingerbread to combat his often bad mood. That's why people in Sweden still believe today that eating gingerbread makes grumpy people feel nice and happy. Bad mood? Then try it with gingerbread!

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Coffee breaks are part of the Swedes' daily routine. Whether at work, at home or on a weekend trip – nothing works without “fika”, the coffee break. You usually don't meet up with friends, acquaintances, neighbors and colleagues in the pub, but rather at home for coffee. Even in the last century, invitations to coffee were a real challenge for the housewife, as etiquette required that seven types of pastries be offered.

In the age of healthy and calorie-conscious eating, this tradition is losing more and more of its importance. The crispy Hafertaler is all the more popular these days.

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“Lussekatter” are closely linked to “Luciafest”, which is traditionally celebrated in Sweden on December 13th, the longest and darkest night in the north. According to old folk beliefs, many supernatural powers appeared on this night. Even the animals could speak that one night. To counter the darkness and its horrors, the tradition of the Queen of Lights was introduced. It owes its name to Saint Lucia of Syracuse, whose feast day also falls on December 13th.

On this day in Sweden you can see many girls dressed in white with a crown of lights on their heads. According to old custom, the eldest daughter of a family dresses up as Lucia and brings breakfast to the parents and siblings in bed. This also includes Lussekatters. The saffron gives them their characteristic yellow color, which - just like the Queen of Lights herself - is said to symbolize light and drive away darkness.

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This cake was baked in Sweden as early as the 18th century: Carl Michael Bellman, Sweden's most famous song writer, describes in "Fredman's Epistle No. 82" how an almond cake is cut open on a summer morning in the countryside at the breakfast table. Even today, Swedes still prefer to enjoy coffee and cake outdoors, but rarely enjoy the latter for breakfast!

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There is hardly a German who doesn't understand the Swedish term “Köttbullar”. The small, tasty minced meat balls owe their popularity in this country to a well-known Swedish furniture store chain, in whose restaurants they are an integral part of the menu. Although most Germans like the meatballs excellently, they are difficult for many to pass their lips.

So here again is the correct pronunciation for the next – and then accent-free – order: “chöttbullar”.

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Pyttipanna is a typical Swedish home cooking and means "tiny pieces (pytt) in the pan (i panna)". About 100 years ago, Sweden was a poor agricultural country. Meat and sausage were very rarely served on the table and were the exception on Sundays. If there was anything left over from Sunday dinner – no matter how tiny the piece of ham or bacon was – it went into the pan.

Add a few filling potatoes and a fried egg - and there was another warm meal on the table the next day - Pyttipanna.

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By the way, in Swedish the “head waiter’s sauce” is called “Hovmästarsås”. How did the sauce get its name? There were also times in Sweden when marinated salmon was still an expensive delicacy and was only served in noble restaurants. Guests who afforded this luxury were honored accordingly: the head waiter personally came to their table and freshly prepared the sauce that went with the salmon in front of the guests.

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Gunnar and Gunilla once lived in Gunnebo, a small town in Småland. Gunnar, although of marriageable age, was still single. Nothing beats the freedom of a bachelor! However, Gunilla, a friend of his, could well imagine Gunnar as her husband. And she knew he liked eating cake... So what did she do?

She baked a chocolate cake with coconut sprinkles and invited Gunnar for coffee. After the first bite he said “mums”, which in Swedish means “mh, delicious!” means. After the third piece he proposed to Gunilla. In Sweden, too, the way to love (in Swedish: “kärlek”) is through the stomach.

Here is the link to the recipe