• Sweden edition
Society

The lowdown on Sweden's best buns

Published: 12 Feb 13 08:01 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/6470/20130212/

It's that time of year again, the day Swedes sink their teeth into cream-filled semla buns. But what goes into a semla? Who makes the best ones? And why is the bun looked upon with suspicion by royal historians?

In an effort to shed light on this mouth-watering mystery, The Local offers up ten things you've always wanted to know about semlor but were afraid to ask.

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, whatever you want to call it, it's the day before the start of the Christian season of Lent. In Sweden it's most commonly known as Fat Tuesday (Fettisdag) or Semla Day (Semmeldagen).

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.

SEE ALSO: Sweden's top ten tasty buns

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.

SEE ALSO: Semlor: cream buns and cultural icons

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.

SEE ALSO: Top ten Swedish foods to remember

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, as will many grocery stores and convenience stores like Pressbyrån or 7-Eleven.

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
Vendels Organic Bakery, Föreningsgatan 30
Martins Konditori & Kafé, Södra Förstadsgatan 88

The Local
Follow The Local on Twitter

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

15:18 March 8, 2011 by stillwatersrd
These are not Sweden's best buns.
21:22 March 8, 2011 by Swedesmith
My wife has some pretty nice buns.
23:31 March 8, 2011 by Tanskalainen
How about a photo of Robyn's buns?
00:06 March 9, 2011 by Swedesmith
Robin Williams?????
07:30 March 9, 2011 by mikewhite
No, he was in Take That
17:35 March 9, 2011 by J Jack
he was in Fake that
23:38 March 9, 2011 by Dr. Dillner
I need one, but I am in Maryland, USA. Anyone have a recipe?
04:07 March 11, 2011 by calajb
Google semla and you will get a bunch of recipes.

Here's one..

http://minareceptsamlingar.blogspot.com/2007/02/swedish-semla.html
16:24 March 11, 2011 by CanisTrigger
King Adolf Frederick... What a wimp!
22:49 March 12, 2011 by Madstadlad
Semlor... the reason I moved to Sweden!
12:16 March 13, 2011 by Isabel Carneiro
Hummm!!! Delicious. In my country it's called sonho.
10:11 February 12, 2013 by StockholmSam
As far as a national sweet, the semla is pretty boring. I find it difficult to find one worth eating twice. Chic Konditori on Mariatorget used to have the best in town - their "Karlsbader semla" - but we noticed this week that they changed the recipe and now they taste just like all the rest.
11:01 February 12, 2013 by Åskar
"It's a cream bun native to Sweden and Finland. "

I have seen some for sale in Tallinn as well.
12:40 February 12, 2013 by soultraveler3
Semlor are nasty, just flavorless, dusty buns with more flavorless paste and a ton of flavorless cream stuffed inside.

Tbh though, this description would fit most Swedish pastries / cakes. Dry, flavorless, tons of cream, some almond paste thrown and maybe a bit of fruit thrown in somewhere.

Even though I love some of them, Swedes like everything in life to be bland, colorless and boring though so that combo works well here. :)
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
EU probes SAS airline over state aid

EU probes SAS airline over state aid

The European Commission opened an in-depth probe on Wednesday to see if state aid given to Scandinavian Airlines by Sweden and Denmark conformed to EU rules. READ () »

Fashion Fix
Jeepers creepers, your shoes hurt my peepers

Jeepers creepers, your shoes hurt my peepers

In The Local's new Fashion Fix column on Swedish trends, Englishwoman Victoria Hussey gets up close and personal with shoes - namely "brothel creepers" from WWII that have been making a steady return to Stockholm pavements. READ () »

Frozen raspberries could spread vomiting bug

Frozen raspberries could spread vomiting bug

Imported frozen raspberries should be boiled before eaten according to new advice from Sweden's National Food Agency, which warns that the berries may carry the novo virus that is more known for causing winter vomiting disease. READ () »

Body of lonely Swedish patient forgotten for days

Body of lonely Swedish patient forgotten for days

A deceased patient who had no relatives was left in a room for five days at the Örebro University Hospital before staff realized the body was still there. READ () »

Scab row as students disrupt bus strike

Scab row as students disrupt bus strike

Stockholm bus traffic was at a standstill Wednesday as drivers launched a major strike at midnight, but a group of Conservative youths disrupted the action by replacing a bus route between two of the city's major hospitals. READ () »

Tax bill for politician's ties to far-right site

Tax bill for politician's ties to far-right site

Sweden Democrat MP Kent Ekeroth has to pay tax for money sent to his bank account as donations to two far-right websites that he claims to have nothing to do with editorially. READ () »

Sweden to send 160 troops in Mali mission

Sweden to send 160 troops in Mali mission

Sweden's parliament has voted to send up to 160 troops to Mali in July in an effort to support peace and security in the west African nation. READ () »

The Local List
Top ten ways you know you've turned Swedish

Top ten ways you know you've turned Swedish

For some foreigners living in Sweden, a natural "inner Swede" can develop that often doesn't show its face until you're back home again. The Local's Patrick Reilly lists the top ten ways this inner-Swede can change your life. READ () »

More Society

 

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
 

 

Highlights
Elodie Pradet/The Local WikiCommons Private/Scanpix Scanpix fastighetsbyrån.se Elodie Pradet/The Local File photo: AP File photo: Scanpix Private Göran Höglund/Flickr Finest.se Scanpix Ann Törnkvist Stefan Larsson Private DoToday Scanpix, C More The Local Finest.se Facebook The Local Scanpix Ann Törnkvist/The Local Henrik Montgomery/Scanpix CDC/Wikipedia (File) kristja/sxc.hu (File) Fastighetsbyrån Swedish expats use book club to survive London Finest.se Sergei Grits Silence/WikiCommons Oliver Gee Oliver Gee Scanpix veidekke/Flickr Eddie Gee David V. Hughes

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Stripes News

13 June 22:03

This weeks results..week 24/25 »

"A weekend full of surprises and LFC football. Results look like this: Div 5 Men won 4-2, K1 lost 5-0, K2 won 2-1, Vets lost 3-2, R1 lost 4-1. Korpen Ladies play Monday night and on the 26th the Div5 Men close the first half season with the last match before the summer kicks in. /LFC " READ »

Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now