According to Swedish folklore, if you pick seven different wildflowers on Midsummer’s Eve and place them under your pillow, you’ll dream of your one true love. It’s a charming tradition—equal parts magical, mysterious, and nostalgic. But what if we gave this age-old custom a delicious twist?

Here at Swedishness, we believe love can take many forms. It can be sweet or salty, loyal or forbidden, messy or elegant—and so can food. So this year, instead of sneaking into a meadow to pick flowers, why not pick from your pantry?

Below are seven symbolic Swedish treats, each representing a different kind of love. Whether you're single, smitten, or somewhere in between, these bites might just inspire a new kind of Midsummer magic. 💫

🌊 1. The Essential Love – Salt

Symbol: Salty licorice or any salt-forward snack

In a classic Swedish folktale, a king asks his three daughters how much they love him. The first answers, “As much as gold.” The second says, “More than the stars.” But the third replies, “As much as salt.” The king is offended—until she disappears and his food loses all its flavor. After a year without salt, he realizes the truth: some loves are quiet, but absolutely essential.

Salt isn’t glamorous. It’s not fancy or sweet. But without it, everything falls flat. This kind of love is the foundation of real connection—loyal, grounding, and irreplaceable. So before you dismiss that salty licorice or crispy knäckebröd, ask yourself: is this the kind of love you’ve overlooked?

🐟 2. The Love for Jewels – Kalix Löjrom

Symbol: Kalix caviar (Löjrom)

Not all treasure glitters—some shimmer softly beneath icy northern waters. Kalix Löjrom is the jewel of the sea, golden and delicate, harvested from the Bothnian Bay in northern Sweden. So prized is this little gem that it holds Protected Designation of Origin status in the EU. It’s not just food—it’s a statement. A symbol of luxury, refinement, and desire.

This is the kind of love that sparkles in candlelight and catches your breath when you least expect it. It’s elegant, exclusive, and utterly unforgettable. The partner who makes you feel like the rarest thing in the room. The kind of love that drapes itself in silk, speaks in soft tones, and always arrives with something chilled and perfect to share. When you find this kind of love, you don’t just savor it—you protect it, like a precious jewel nestled in a velvet-lined box.

☕️ 3. The Love Potion – Skånerost Coffee

Symbol: Zoégas Skånerost

Forget bubbly drinks and magical elixirs—true Swedish love starts with a strong cup of coffee. And not just any coffee—Skånerost. Rich, dark, and slightly smoky, this southern Swedish roast is as intense as a stolen glance across a fika table. It’s the kind of brew that wakes your soul and lingers long after the last sip.

This love isn’t flashy—it’s deep. The kind that builds over time and keeps you grounded. It’s the partner who brings you your cup just the way you like it, who knows silence can be just as intimate as conversation. It’s comfort, routine, and chemistry all wrapped up in one steamy mug.

And just like the tradition of fika, it reminds us that love isn't always about grand gestures—it’s about showing up, sharing a moment, and maybe splitting a cinnamon bun, too.

💚 4. The Jealous Love – Green Jelly

Symbol: Grön Jell-O or lime-flavored candy

Let’s face it—jealousy is part of love’s complicated recipe. It’s not the sweetest ingredient, but it is real. That flutter in your chest when you see them laughing with someone else? That’s your heart getting a little green.

Green jelly is the perfect edible metaphor for this messy emotion. Wobbly, slippery, hard to hold—but undeniably present. Whether it's jealousy in romance, in friendship, or even over who got the last piece of kladdkaka, this treat reminds us: love isn’t always rational. But hey—don’t be jelly. Take a bite, own your feelings, and keep moving toward the love you deserve.

🚗 5. The Steady Love – Candy Cars (Ahlgrens Bilar)

Symbol: Ahlgrens bilar – the most sold car in Sweden!

Not all love is wild and unpredictable. Sometimes, it comes in the form of a reliable, candy-colored compact car. Ahlgrens bilar have been rolling off the shelves (and into hearts) since 1953. Soft, sweet, and nostalgic, they’re a reminder that comfort and consistency are underrated virtues.

This love is dependable. It picks you up from the airport. It remembers how you take your coffee. It doesn’t make grand gestures—it just shows up, every single day. And while it might not sparkle like löjrom, it’ll get you where you need to go—snack or soulmate.

🍟 6. The Forbidden Love – The Cheat Snack

Symbol: Dill chips, sour cream & onion snacks, or anything you “sneak”

We all have that one. The love we know we shouldn’t have… but can’t resist. Maybe you’re on a health kick. Maybe you promised to cut back. But the moment you open a bag of dill chips, all bets are off.

This love is crunchy. It’s rebellious. It tastes like freedom—and regret, just a little bit. But that’s what makes it exciting. Whether it’s a forbidden romance or just cheating on your diet with an entire bag of Estrella, this kind of love burns fast, leaves a mess, and begs for seconds.

🍓 7. The Sweet Summer Fling – Strawberry Cream Cake (Jordgubbstårta)

Symbol: Classic Swedish strawberry layer cake

This is the kind of love that only comes once a year. It’s seasonal, sweet, and utterly irresistible. Midsummer in Sweden isn’t complete without strawberries and whipped cream piled high on a soft sponge. It’s the cake of memories—picnics by the lake, sticky fingers, and sun-drenched laughter.

This fling doesn’t last forever. But it stays with you. The taste lingers. The feeling stays. And every year, when the berries ripen again, you remember what it was like to be young, barefoot, and blissfully in love.

🌸 Final Thoughts

So, this Midsummer, why not rewrite the fairy tale? Forget wildflowers—put these 7 Swedish treats under your pillow and let your tastebuds lead the way to love. Whether you’re craving stability, adventure, indulgence or a flirtation with dill chips, there’s a flavor of love for everyone.

And hey—if you wake up with a dream of Kalix caviar and salty licorice in your soulmate’s picnic basket… don’t say we didn’t warn you. 😉

Glad Midsommar!

– Your Swedishness Team 💛🇸🇪