Unique Snacks to Stock Up On at Ikea

In the freezer section of the market, you'll find one of my favorite products, Soft Thin Bread. It reminds me of lavash in texture and flavor.

These little tubes of creamed smoked roe (price not listed on the Ikea website) are as popular in Sweden as Heinz ketchup is in the United States. The spread, usually eaten for breakfast, tastes more like savory umami than fish. It's usually spead over toast, crackers, or thin bread with a bit of sliced cucumber.

The Swedish version of Kool-Aid? These syrups are made of elderflower and lignonberry. You can dilute them with water or sparkling water to your desired sweetness.

OK, I enjoy pickled things, so I found these Matjes Herring Fillets to be quite enjoyable, especially over the thin bread. This snack is definitely for the person who enjoys canned seafood like sardines and anchovies. My second favorite product is the Marinated Herring With Mustard Sauce. The sweet mustard sauce cuts the briny flavor of the pickled herring.

While the Swedes may eat slices of this for breakfast or in a sandwich during fika (a coffee/snack break taken midmorning and midafternoon), you might enjoy this Semi-Hard Cheese ($7) for a dinner party or to grate over eggs, pasta, or whatever! It's slightly sour but not too funky, almost like a swiss cheese.

The other Semi-Hard Cheese that starts with an "H" is slightly funkier, saltier, and bolder.

This Blue Cheese doesn't hold back on its flavor. I would likely pair it with some honey and toasted walnuts to tone down the tartness.