Yesterday we went to this surstömmingskiva, where friends come together and eat fermented herring and drink a lot of snaps. According to Wikipedia surströmming is Surströmming (pronounced [sʉ̌ːʂtrœmːɪŋ], Swedish "soured (Baltic) herring") is a northern Swedish dish consisting of fermented Baltic herring. Surströmming is sold in cans, which may bulge after prolonged storage, due to the continued fermentation. When opened, the contents release a strong and sometimes overwhelming odour; the dish is often eaten outdoors. A Japanese study has shown that the smell of a newly opened can of surströmming is the most putrid smell of food in the world, beating similar fermented fish dishes such as the Korean Hongeohoe or Japanese Kusaya.[1]
Eaten with tunnbröd, loads of creme fraise, onions, potatoes and tomatoes it's ok, the worst part is the smell.
Believe me when I tell you it's horrible, absolutely disgusting. When they opened the cans, the juice pushed its way out like a fountain and the smell that followed made me gag.
Today my only plan is to recover from this experience.
