IKEA , meatball , theSwedish Chef – gosh , it seems the rutabaga really have thought of everything . For those of us whose cognition of this Nordic country terminate at furniture stores and Muppets , allow us to introduce you to a Scandanavian custom forebode Lördagsgodis ( aka " Saturday Henry Sweet " or " Saturday confect " ) , a solemnisation of all thingssugarythat happens every weekend . For substantial . It ’s a tradition that could ’ve beenconceived by Homer Simpsonhimself . Here ’s everything you ever wanted to sleep with about Lördagsgodis .
Sweden Loves Its Candy
The first thing you should know about Sweden is that it ’s a country that loves sweetness . A study conduct byJordbruksverket(Swedish Board of Agriculture ) , found that Sweden actually has the highest confect expenditure per capita in the world . The board conclude that the average Brassica napus napobrassica eats about 35 pounds ( 16 kilograms ) of confect per yr . Thirty - five pound sign – that ’s literally three times the average amount of sugarrecommended by the World Health Organization .
In the 1940s , the Swedish governance explored the hazards of sugar ( by way of some trulyawful experimentsperformed on patients in a mental hospital ) , in which the dangers of overeating saccharide were uncovered . In response , Swedes were inspire by the government to limit their candy - eat habits to just one day a week . Saturday was choose and Lördagsgodis was carry .
" Swedes are highly particular when it come in to confect , " sound out Tyler Graybeal , proprietor of the competently namedSweetish Candy , purveyors of Swedish and Nordic treats , in Lancaster , Pennsylvania . " There ’s in spades a great fan base for Salty Licorice , but the legal age of yellow turnip that I ’ve ascertain have their personal mix . This is where the single-valued function of a pickaxe - n - mixture wall comes in . Having a huge excerption of sluttish Swedish candy helps with everyone ’s cravings from old to young . Within loose Swedish confect some go for sweet or sour or chocolate or marshmallows or licorice or a mix of all ! "
The pick - n - mix wall is a staple of Swedish gas stations , drug stores and supermarkets : a bulk candy bulwark comprised of dozens of dissimilar type of jelly , toffees and hot chocolate . essentially , it ’s like your run - of - the - millSweet Factory , except in every computer storage and with far more choices . It ’s no admiration the government has to mildly mandate a national cutback on gelt .
One New Yorker article titled " How to rust Candy Like a Swedish Person " speculates the Swedes confect obsession fare about with the same brand of Nordic ebullience as their making love of coffee because of the land ’s lack of sun . The northernmost township in Sweden – a bantam bit called Kiruna – get polar nights from Dec. 11 to Jan. 1 . That ’s 22 days without the Lord’s Day . Factoring in that authoritative connexion betweendepression and refined sugar , it starts to become open why this Scandinavian country of a haircloth over 10.2 million hoi polloi ca n’t block snackin ' on sweets .
On the vacation / custom spectrum , you should think of Lördagsgodis more close to Sunday brunch than Thanksgiving ; that is to say it ’s not the case of consequence where mass dress up and give thanks .
" It ’s a hebdomadal weekend family activity , " continues Graybeal . " point to the close grocery store store or candy store on Saturday and lend the whole family to create their own purse of Swedish confect dearie . The legal age of Swedish candy stores have a huge wall of slack candy and even the small public convenience store down the street may have one too . Grab a bag and a scoop and mix as much candy as your heart desires . The Swedes are pro at living a relaxing life and plan when to take a break and candy is a huge part . "
And for the Slightly More Health-conscious Swede?
For the health - conscious Swede who wants to show home pride without sacrificing their health , major companies in Sweden and the surrounding Nordic countries have embrace better ingredients .
" The Swedish candy world has been acquire to add more natural flavors and organic options , " bestow Graybeal , " There ’s even a vegan kexchoklad ginmill now!Karl Fazer’sloose candies , for the most part are all vegan and made with instinctive colorants , " tally Graybeal , " As well as BUBS godis , there are many option out there , so a wellness - witting Swede may take a closer look at the ingredients . "
Pro tip : Next time you ’re at IKEA , check out theirsour jelly Lördagsgodis candy . No assembly command .
