Get to know this food
Surströmming is fermented Baltic herring from northern Sweden, known for a powerful aroma and a social late-summer eating tradition.
Why is it special?
The famous smell arrives when the tin is opened, yet surströmming is more than a viral reaction challenge. Baltic herring is salted, fermented, and canned as part of a northern Swedish preservation tradition. The flavour is described by enthusiasts as savoury and intense.
How is it eaten?
Traditional meals put the fish in context: buttered tunnbröd flatbread, potatoes, and chopped onion make a balanced bite, often shared outdoors with friends. If you only watch a can being opened on camera, you miss the meal that people actually enjoy.
Frequently asked questions
Is surströmming just rotten fish?
No. It is deliberately salted and fermented Baltic herring, prepared within a Swedish food tradition.
What is served with surströmming?
A traditional combination uses tunnbröd flatbread, potatoes, onion, and butter.
Source used for this explainer: Visit Sweden — Fermented Herring (Surströmming) — Read original source ↗