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My interest in Swedish Food Culture began during my first visit to Sweden in August when the entire country was preparing for the annual Crayfish premier. All I really knew about Sweden was Abba, Volvo, Swedish meatballs and the Swedish Chef from the Muppet Show … Continue readingAbout Me—About my Swedish Food Culture Project

  There are approximately 63,000 farms in Sweden accounding to Jordbruket the countries farm administration. Farmers must abide by strict farming practices when it comes to the environment and animal husbandry. Most of us know the story about Pippi Longstocking, written by Astrid Lindgren. Lindgren … Continue readingFarm to table

  Falukorv is – like Swedish meatballs – a comfort food in Sweden. It is a smoked Swedish sausage that consists of meat, potato starch, onion, salt and other spices. It originated in the mines in Falun (its name means Falu sausage) in the Dalarna … Continue readingFalukorv – Falu Sausage

  A kafferep is a traditional fika-stund (coffee-break) and very formal – almost like a ritual. It was where women were able to gather without their men or their children to socialize with their friends. It was very important that seven types of biscuits were … Continue readingCoffee Social – Kafferep

  Hunting and moose meat is very popular in Sweden – especially Norrland, where moose almost seem to out-number people. Throughout the country, the moose hunting season starts in September or October each year. There is a huge acceptance to hunting and many households hunt … Continue readingMoosehunt – Älgjakt

  From late August to early September, a stinky tradition has been preserved since the 1800s – especially in the north. Fermented sour Baltic herring (surströmming) is still a very popular tradition in Sweden – specifically in northern Sweden. A delicacy that used to be … Continue readingFermented Herring – Surströmming

  Once considered poor man’s food, crispbread (knäckebröd or tunnbröd), has been baked in Sweden for over 500 years, and it can last for at least a year. Traditionally it is baked only twice a year – in the fall and in the spring. You … Continue readingBaking Cabin – Bagarstuga

Crayfish fishing was banned before August 7 at 5 pm, to allow crayfish time to mature. This is how August 8th came to mark the beginning of crayfish season or the Kräftpremiär (crayfish premier). Although the ban on fishing crayfish was removed in 1994, old … Continue readingCrayfish – Kräftor

Crayfish has been eaten in Sweden since the middle ages and since the 1500s it has been mainly enjoyed by royalty at weddings and such. It wasn’t until the 1800s that crayfish were eaten as they are today – at crayfish parties where they are … Continue readingCrayfish Party – Kräftskiva