Shocking news of the day: Swedish meatballs aren’t, well, Swedish.
That’s right, ladies and gentlemen. The famed chunky meatballs from Sweden aren’t actually directly from the land of IKEA and H&M. Sweden’s official Twitter account reveals that the trademark Swedish grub actually originated from (cue drum roll) Turkey.
Swedish meatballs are actually based on a recipe King Charles XII brought home from Turkey in the early 18th century. Let’s stick to the facts! pic.twitter.com/JuTDEjq9MM
— Sweden.se (@swedense) April 28, 2018
A little bit of historical research tells us that these “Swedish” meatballs originated from a recipe King Charles XII of Sweden brought home after spending five years in Turkey back in the early 1700s. The monarch picked up Turkey’s recipe for lamb and beef meatballs, and this is what eventually became what we know today as Swedish meatballs.
Long-time Swedish meatball fans were distressed by this revelation. But, Sweden’s Twitter account was quick to offer consolation and comfort.
Don’t be so hard on yourself! Time starts now!
— Sweden.se (@swedense) May 2, 2018
Meanwhile, others were quick to add to the culinary historical facts of it all.
Love knowledge! Thanks for pointing out!
— Sweden.se (@swedense) May 2, 2018
Correct! Thanks for clarifying!
— Sweden.se (@swedense) May 2, 2018
Please elaborate! 🙂
— Sweden.se (@swedense) May 3, 2018
In response to all this knowledge, Sweden.Se made another post acknowledging that the culinary history of these spherical balls of meat is complex, and they appreciate every version of it.
Where and how was the Swedish meatball born? We had little doubt about its origins last week. We’ve since come to realise that culinary history is complex. There are countless versions of the meatball across the world. Your favourite? Here’s ours: https://t.co/tL2gUf9h0U https://t.co/2ywlDiZfc9
— Sweden.se (@swedense) May 4, 2018
Regardless, the world of meatballs will never be the same again.
Photos courtesy of Twitter.com/swedense
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Writer: ANTHEA REYES
