What kind of fish is surströmming?
Baltic herring
Small Baltic herring are caught in the spring, salted and left to ferment at leisure before being stuffed in a tin about a month before it hits the tables and shops. The fermentation process continues in the tin; ‘souring’ as the Swedes refer to it, and results in a bulging tin of fermented herring or surströmming.
Can surströmming make you sick?
Can surströmming make you sick? Thanks to the association with rotted fish, many people wonder “is surströmming safe to eat?” or whether the food will make them sick. First of all, surströmming is completely safe, as the fish is fermented, not rotten.
What is surströmming used for?
Surströmming is commonly served with snaps, light beers like pilsner or lager, svagdricka (a type of small beer), water, or cold milk. What to drink with surströmming is disputed among connoisseurs. Surströmming is usually served as the focus of a traditional festivity called a surströmmingsskiva.
What is surströmming made of?
Surströmming is an infamous Swedish delicacy made of fermented Baltic sea herring. In spring, the spawning fish are caught between Sweden and Finland, then the heads are removed and the bodies are stored in a series of salted water solutions.
Does surströmming taste good?
What does surströmming taste like? Well, the Swedes are right – it really doesn’t taste as bad as it smells. Unsurprisingly, it has a fishy flavour, but with the sharp tang of a good blue cheese. It’s certainly is an acquired taste, but most Swedes love it – and you may well come to enjoy it as well.
Does anyone actually eat surströmming?
Surströmming (fermented Baltic herring or, literally, soured Baltic herring), is one of Sweden’s most infamous products and is especially popular in northern Sweden. Surströmming are normally eaten at the end of August, but I’ve met Swedes who like to bury a can outside in snow and eat some at Christmas!
Does surströmming have to be refrigerated?
Surströmming should always be refrigerated even when unopened – and must only be opened outdoors. You have been warned.
Why is surströmming so bad?
The real culprit however is hydrogen sulfide which is normally associated with the pungent smell of bad eggs. Most people prefer eating it outside because when the can is opened, surströmming tends to release a powerful and sometimes overwhelming odour.
Is it safe to eat surströmming?
How to eat Surströmming: I strongly recommend having Surströmming in the summer months. It really leaves a strong odour around the house for days. Only the combination of Swedish thin bread, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, sour cream and of course Surströmming makes it edible.
Does anyone actually eat Surstromming?
Does Surstromming have to be refrigerated?
What is the surströmming challenge?
The upshot of this is the rise of the Surströmming Challenge, where people unused to the delicacy or its characteristic smell are invited to try the food for the first time.
