In the News
Gearing Up For Halloween: Candy, Candy, Everywhere
Finland may have stolen the claim to salty licorice in this New York Times feature, but we all know Swedes love the candy just as much. The author of the piece explores salmiakki, a variety of licorice made with salmiak salt, and he also gives a history lesson along with his experience eating the stuff. And did you know Sweden, thanks in part to its love of salty licorice, ranks third in the world in candy consumption?
And in slightly older, albeit timely news, CandyStore.com released survey results in September about the most popular Halloween candy in each state, but it bears repeating as we prepare for candy’s biggest night. The results are in, and Swedish Fish is the most consumed candy in Kentucky (with almost 74,000 pounds), and it was the runner-up in Georgia (at a whopping 101,000 pounds consumed).
Also in the news…
The perfect Prinsesstårta
We know firsthand that making a Prinsesstårta, much less a perfect one, is a major feat. Thank goodness Bloomberg chatted with Swedish chef Magnus Nilsson to talk about the confection. “The princess cake, which is incidentally also my favorite birthday cake, is one of the most iconic Swedish cakes,” Nilsson said. This article has a little history lesson and even includes Nilsson’s recipe.
Catching up with the ‘Queen of Sweden’
Remember Saga Vanecek, the 8-year-old girl who pulled an ancient sword out of a lake in Sweden? Well, she continues to make the rounds, and she talked with USA Today about her new celebrity status, complete with a celebration at school with ice cream and balloons, a T-shirt inspired by her discovery and a shout out from her favorite football team, the Minnesota Vikings. Her dad also is working on a fundraiser to get a replica of the sword made as a keepsake.
It’s like ‘Minority Report,’ but real life
NPR’s All Things Considered resurfaced the ongoing story about Swedes inserting microchips under their skin. Proponents of the technology argue that the chips improve quality of life by making daily tasks easier, like storing e-tickets for the rail transportation system. Erik Frisk, an early adapter who got a chip in 2014, says, “It’s just completely passive, it has no energy source or anything. So when you tap it against a reader, the chip sends back an ID that tells the reader which chip it is.” Frisk hosted a “chipping party” with his housemates, and they use the implant to get into their home.
Please silence your cell phones pack of gum
Who knew fiddling with the wrapper of gum could cause such a commotion? The Washington Post reports on an incident in Malmö, where a fight ensued after a woman made some noise with a gum wrapper during a quiet part of an orchestra performance. Noises were made, bags were ripped from hands, arms started swinging. Eyewitness Olof Jonsson said, “It was very
Swedish House Mafia makes it official
After rumors and guerilla poster campaigns, it’s official: Swedish House Mafia is making a return. BBC highlighted a press conference by the group, who announced their next performance on May 4, 2019, with the added bonus that a tour with new music would follow. Well, we’ll start booking our flights now!
