The fish itself does not smell that strong at all. Surströmming has a salty baseline of flavor, layered with tastes that are creamy, crunchy, sharp and herbal. This can be avoided by opening a can of surströmming under water. This also reduces the smell, as the water absorbs part of the smell.
Can surströmming make you sick?
Can surströmming make you sick? Thanks to the association with rotted fish, many people wonder “is surströmming safe to eat?” or whether the food will make them sick. First of all, surströmming is completely safe, as the fish is fermented, not rotten.
Is it safe to eat surströmming?
It really leaves a strong odour around the house for days. As Surströmming has a really potent smell and also taste I would never ever have it “plain”. Only the combination of Swedish thin bread, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, sour cream and of course Surströmming makes it edible.1 Jul 2015
Does anybody actually like surströmming?
A small group actually enjoy it but are not allowed to eat it more than once a year by their families and neighbors, usually conditioned to the eating taking place in some remote cabin in the woods. Say between 1 000 and 2 000 persons. According to official figures by the Surströmming Academy, 2.076.
Does surströmming taste good?
What does surströmming taste like? Well, the Swedes are right it really doesn't taste as bad as it smells. Unsurprisingly, it has a fishy flavour, but with the sharp tang of a good blue cheese. It's certainly is an acquired taste, but most Swedes love it and you may well come to enjoy it as well.15 Jul 2019
Can you get sick from surströmming?
It's thought to be so bad for you to eat that the European Union is trying to ban it, but its smell alone can make you sick. Surströmming is a type of fermented herring that is traditionally enjoyed (really?) in Sweden near the end of summer.16 Apr 2011
What kind of fish is surströmming?
Baltic herring
How is surströmming fish made?
Surströmming is prepared by fermenting Baltic herring for at least three months in a brine. The brine is salty, but not so salty as to inhibit the fermenting microorganisms. After the fish has fermented in barrels for a while, it's canned, where it continues to ferment.13 Aug 2019
What does surströmming fish smell like?
Surströmming (say "soor-stroh-ming") is tinned fish from Sweden that is fermented (put in a salty brine for two months) before the tins are sealed up and sold. The process of fermenting the fish creates a strong rotten egg smell.