Introduction

When people think of Sweden, there are four different things that come to mind: 1) Pewdiepie, the most popular and subscribed to Youtuber who has amassed a following of over 110 million subscribers during his tenure on the site. 2) Midsommar, the terrifying 2019 horror movie which is rumored to have hurt the country’s travel industry and given people a fear of rural Sweden. 3) IKEA brand furniture. 4) its meatballs. However, outside of these four things, there is plenty more about Sweden that may peak your interest. 

Toothpaste Tubed Food

When one thinks of packaged or processed food, he or she will typically envision meat or some kind of snack in a plastic container, ready to be sealed away in the freezer or fridge until it’s time for a quick dinner. Sweden practices a similar kind of way of processing its food, however it’s trending in Sweden to have the food turned into a paste and kept in a toothpaste-esque tube, from which you would squeeze out the food onto bread or crackers. Apparently, the reason for the mass tubing of food products stems from Sweden’s obsession with maximizing practicality and functionality. Having the food tubed makes it easier to proportion, put away, and eat. The food tubes come in all shapes and sizes and flavors, the most popular of which being caviar. However, there are a myriad of other flavors, including fish, cheese, and even bacon! (Great Big Story).

The King of Sweden 

Europe was once partitioned amongst several hundred different kingdoms, dutchies, and fiefdoms which all had their own respective monarchs or rulers. As time moved on, these monarchs were eventually replaced with more democratic systems of government, yet the monarchs remained as cultural figureheads. The most famous of these is the English monarchy, headed by Queen Elizabeth II. However, lesser known is the King of Sweden, a remnant of Sweden’s own centuries long tradition of monarchy. The current Swedish king, King Carl XVI Gustaf, serves as the country’s Head of State and their foremost international representative whilst still playing a mostly ceremonial role back home (“The Monarchy in Sweden:). As a constitutional monarchy, the Swedish king’s role in government is decided through parliament and heavily regulated. Whilst the Queen of England may get to dissolve the parliament of the commonwealths any time she desires, causing widespread chaos, the King of Sweden can have fun with his probably unlimited IKEA samples. 

What a Nobel Deed

Every year around the world, the highly distinguished Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to world peace. However, its creator, Alfred Nobel, was himself once responsible for contributing to violence and suffering around the world. Born in Stockholm, Sweden on October 21, 1833, Alfred Nobel would grow up to become a prominent figure in the creation of high explosives like dynamite. After amassing tons of wealth in his final years, he wrote in his will to have it so that an award in his name would be given to any person who has made significant strides in maintaining and enforcing peace (Ringertz). 

Works Cited

Great Big Story, director. Why Sweden Loves Food in Tubes. YouTube, YouTube, 25 Sept. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmlCaRyH2FQ. 

Ringertz, Niles. “Alfred Nobel – His Life and Work.” NobelPrize.org, Nobel Prize Outreach AB, 11 May 2021, www.nobelprize.org/alfred-nobel/alfred-nobel-his-life-and-work/. 

“The Monarchy in Sweden.” The Monarchy in Sweden – Sveriges Kungahus, Swedish Royal Court, www.kungahuset.se/royalcourt/monarchytheroyalcourt/themonarchyinsweden. 4.396160511584257f2180005799.html#:~:text=A%20Symbol%20for%20Sweden,are%20primarily%20ceremonial%20and%20representative.