This blog post will explore the fun of one of Sweden’s sweetest traditions. This tradition, called “Saturday Sweets/candy” in English, is essentially a practice where families go to their local supermarket or candy grocer on Saturdays, and pick out their favorite sweets to enjoy at home with the family. Unlike American grocery stores, which carry candy in bags in the aisles, Swedish supermarket chains like ICA and Coop, have entire isles dedicated to different types of candy. They are stored in massive plastic bins with scoops and little paper bags you can weigh. From black licorice to fudge, these candy bins have everything you could imagine. This tradition is a great way to treat yourself at the end of the week and spend some time with family too.
Swedish candy has also caught on with social media platforms gaining views on Swedish candy-related content. Many of their candy is high-quality, gluten-free, and vegan, which appeals to many consumers. It’s fun to eat and experiment with different flavors from different stores. Even the Swedish version of the Dollar Store has these candy sections so you can eat sweets at a discount.
Coming from the U.S., where our food and diets are notoriously high in sugar, it was intriguing to go to a country where health is a known priority and see everyone participate in this tradition. As an American, candy is nothing special to me. It is something to have occasionally, perhaps to get at the movie theater or to have during holidays. But for Swedish children in particular, it’s a tradition that teaches them restraint and moderation, an important life skill, and about slowing down and enjoying the little things. As the week comes to an end, people get to celebrate with a little candy and indulge in some of their favorite snacks.
While I was not aware of the candy culture of Sweden before I studied there, it was entertaining and fascinating to see Swedish supermarkets and how this tradition is engrained in Swedish culture. When you study abroad, you become immersed in traditions or activities that you would have never thought of, but branch out, explore the various aspects of the culture, and enjoy the idea that you are visiting a place that isn’t like home. Some of the best journeys occur when you take the chance. If you are interested in studying in Sweden, don’t forget to remember one more unique feature of the country, “Lördagsgodis”.
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