The World | Europe | Sweden

Swedish cuisine combines French and German influences with indigenous Scandinavian cooking. Swedish dishes are hearty and naturally flavored by pickling, fermenting, and smoking. Fish and seafood are abundant and widely eaten, particularly herring, salmon, cod, mackerel, halibut, prawns, and freshwater fish. Meat, including game and domesticated reindeer, as well as beef, lamb, pork, and poultry, is also important to the Swedes, and it is often served with thick cream gravy or made into meatballs and sausages. Fruits and vegetables are enjoyed in season, with apples, ligonberries, and potatoes being favorites. Fruit preserves and pickled vegetables are enjoyed year round. Rye breads and thin rye crisps are staples, and sweet breads and rich baked delicacies made with butter, eggs, and cream are enjoyed with coffee, which the Swedes like to drink throughout the day.