If you’re familiar with cinnamon rolls, you’re already acquainted with a significant aspect of Swedish fika culture. The next delightful step in this culinary journey is the Semla—a wheat bun filled with sweet almond paste, fluffy cream, and powdered sugar. This treat is only available for a limited time of the year, adding to its allure. And trust us when we say it’s not just delicious—it’s so irresistible that it once led a Swedish king to eat himself to death…
The history of Semla
Semlor is traditionally eaten on Fat Tuesday, known as Fettisdagen in Swedish. The celebration of this day originates from the Christian tradition of Shrove Tuesday, marking the beginning of a 40-day fasting period before Easter. The calorie-heavy Semla was simply eaten as a way to prepare for fasting. The first mentions of Semlor are made in the bible of Gustav Vasa, the first king of Sweden. During the 18th century another Swedish king, Adolf Fredric, died after devouring 14 Semlor in just one sitting (following a five-course meal).
Semla – a widely popular fika choice
Today, Semla is a popular choice for fika, during the season that runs roughly from the beginning of January to March. A Semla can be enjoyed as is, accompanied by coffee, or immersed in a plate of hot milk. In modern times, many bakeries put their own spin on this traditional treat, incorporating flavors like berries and chocolate — or by presenting it in unconventional shapes like wraps.
During the Semla season, Swedes devour approximately 50 million Semlor each year—that’s an average of 5 per person.
