The other day, a co-worker gave me a handful of Swedish Fish. I haven’t had Swedish Fish in years, and now I can’t stop thinking about them. It’s like having a bad song in your head. Only in this case, instead of a bad song, it’s delicious, articifically flavored, gooey candy fish. Apparently, from Sweden.
Turns out, the fish are Swedish. But only in the way that I’m Irish.
The candy was developed in 1957 by Malaco, a Swedish confectionery. They never really caught on in their homeland, but were a huge hit once imported to North America. From the Malaco website:
“In large parts of the USA, Swedish Fish is today as well known brand as other successful Swedish export products like Volvo and Absolut Vodka.”
Since the 1990s, “The Original Swedish Fish” have been produced in Canada by the Cadbury Adams company. And if you want to create your own generic version, prepare your hand to be slapped.
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Jason, you got me yearning for a SFF: Swedish Fish Fix!
Can’t live without ‘em.
posted by David on 10-3-2006 at 3:10 pm
Oddly enough, I bought some Swedish Fish earlier today and ate the entire bag while at work. I’m still not sure how to describe them when asked what they taste like. Cherryish? Fruity? Red?
posted by Jessica on 10-3-2006 at 7:51 pm
“Red” is pretty good. I’ve heard them described as “Syrup-y,” which made my teeth hurt.
posted by Jason on 10-3-2006 at 8:50 pm
Man oh man do I love Sweedish Fish. You’re right Jessica…they taste red. That’s the only description that fits. That red candy flavor from days gone by. Obviously, red isn’t a flavor, but everyone knows exactly what you mean.
posted by Dawn Lorraine on 10-3-2006 at 9:15 pm
I have reason to believe the red ones are lingonberry flavored. It’s a Swedish berry.
posted by Justin on 4-14-2009 at 11:05 am
This is very ineresting, I’m from Sweden and have lived in America for about half a year now. ofcourse I’ve tried the Swedish fish and they don’t taste like the real ones that we have. And another thing, in Sweden they are pretty popular atleast as popular as they are here.
posted by Marie Bergström on 1-25-2011 at 3:56 pm