The lowdown on Sweden's best buns

Ten things you've always wanted to know about semlas but were afraid to ask.

• Cinnamon Bun Day: Just another manic bun day (4 Oct 10)
• Shrove Tuesday buns threatened by unions (5 Feb 08)
• Italy: Swedish Christmas gingerbread 'toxic' (20 Dec 07)

1. What is a semla?

It's a cream bun native to Sweden and Finland.

2. Why is everyone banging on about them today?

Because they are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday.

3. You mean Pancake Tuesday or Mardi Gras?

Yes, but the day before the start of the Christian season of Lent is called Fat Tuesday in Sweden.

4. So what's in these semla things?

A modern semla is a wheat bun, spiced with cardamom. The top is knocked off and the bun is hollowed out a bit to make room for almond paste and whipped cream.

5. So the top is just thrown away?

No, it's popped back on and sprinkled with icing sugar.

6. And then you just pick it up and eat it.

You can. But a lot of people prefer to put it in a bowl of hot milk and eat it with a spoon.

7. Sounds like a Lenten fast would be well-advised after eating one of these monstrosities.

Definitely. King Adolf Frederick famously died in 1771 after eating 14 of them for dessert.

8. Do people only eat them on Shrove Tuesday?

No. The semla season has been lengthening ever since Luther lost his grip on the country. You're likely to spot them in many bakeries for the entire first half of the year. Swedes eat 40 million of them per season.

9. Where does the name semla come from anyway?

From the Latin semilia, meaning top notch wheat flour. But southern Swedes refer to them as shrovetide buns.

10. All this talk is making me hungry. Where can I get one?

Every bakery in Sweden will have them on Tuesday. But here are some recommendations for the three main cities. Enjoy!

Stockholm:

Vete-katten, Kungsgatan 55
Tössebageriet, Karlavägen 77
Gunnarssons, Götgatan 92


Gothenburg:

Cederleüfs konditori, Göteborgsvägen 74
Svenheimers Konditori, Brahegatan 11
Nöjds Konditori, Långedragssvägen 22

Malmö:

Lomma Hembageri, Strandvägen 96