The Foods That Are A Mainstay Of A Swedish Breakfast

When it comes to typical American breakfast foods, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, and pancakes all immediately spring to mind. Of course, other countries have their own traditional breakfast foods, and Sweden is no exception. While the country is often associated with meatballs (although it must be noted that Swedish meatballs aren't actually from Sweden), its breakfast offerings are also quite enticing when you want to expand your early morning food options.

Consider that Sweden is big on breakfast sandwiches, but not the kind that most Americans are accustomed to. Swedish breakfast sandwiches are usually open-faced and feature toppings like liver pâté, sliced cured meats, butter, cheese, and pickles. Fresh veggies like tomatoes and cucumbers are also quite popular. As for bread options, crispy knäckebröd offers the perfect foundation for these toppings thanks to its cracker-esque texture. Even for those unfamiliar with a traditional Swedish breakfast, it's easy to see how well these ingredients work together. From the savory, rich flavor of the pâté to the tangy crunchiness of the pickles, these ingredients offer a tasty contrast in both flavor and texture.

In Sweden, boiled eggs are another common breakfast food, as opposed to the fried and scrambled eggs you might find elsewhere. Swedish breakfast usually includes both hard and soft-boiled eggs, which can be added to knäckebröd or enjoyed on their own. In case you're unaware, the yolk in hard-boiled eggs is completely cooked, while soft-boiled eggs feature a runny yolk.

Boiled eggs are often combined with a spreadable type of caviar when eaten for breakfast in Sweden. Consisting of creamed, smoked roe (fish eggs) this product comes in a tube for easy application. Technically, the difference between caviar and roe has to do with the fish from which the product was sourced, as caviar is sourced exclusively from a type of fish called sturgeon. However, the terms are often used interchangeably. If you want a heftier sandwich, you can add boiled egg slices and top them with your roe spread. You can also add the spread directly to whole boiled eggs.

While pancakes and syrup have a surprisingly long and rich history, you probably won't find them on breakfast tables in Sweden. It's true that Swedes do enjoy sweet foods at breakfast time, but mostly in the form of cereal called muesli, which is often served with a type of yogurt known as filmjölk.

Muesli has a lot of similarities to granola, in that both consist of ingredients like nuts, oats, seeds, and dried fruits. The real difference lies in the preparation of each, as muesli ingredients are uncooked and may even be submerged in dairy or juice at night to ensure they're ready for the morning (however, the muesli can also be combined with dairy without being soaked for an extended period). With granola, the ingredients are usually cooked prior to being packaged and placed on store shelves. 

As for filmjölk, this fermented dairy product is not like the yogurt most Americans are familiar with. Instead, it has a much thinner consistency, making it ideal for pouring over cereal, and lacks the sour flavor expected from plain yogurt. Whether you opt for a sweet or savory breakfast, traditional Swedish foods can serve as a tasty alternative to American fare.