In this online exclusive, Jamie answers questions that relate to the third episode of his 6-part TV show "Jamie Does".

Stockholm isn’t as famous for its food as some of the other places you went to. What made you decide to include it in the series?
Since the rise of low-cost airlines, loads of people are jetting off to Barcelona, Rome, or Paris, but there are so many other places that get overlooked. Stockholm is one of them and it’s such a beautiful city. It has a slightly Venetian feel to it because it’s built on 14 different islands, so there are loads of boats and bridges around which make it really scenic. On top of that, the culture is just really cool and the people – or at least all the people I met – speak fantastic English, which can come in handy!
Another brilliant thing is that the natural resources in Sweden are amazing. It’s one of the most unpolluted places in Europe and I think that comes out in the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Their seafood is up there with some of the best in the world, and their amazing smoked and cured fish is what they’re most famous for. Also, because they have always had such drawn out winters, they’ve got a strong tradition for foraging, pickling and preserving. Basically their cuisine is really intelligent, elegant, stylish, and clean. A lot like the city, actually.

What is unique about Swedish food?
Well aside from the stuff I’ve just mentioned there are quite a few delicacies that we aren’t that familiar with in the UK. I tried cured reindeer meat and really loved that. Apparently the heart of a reindeer is so nutritious hunters take dried hearts out with them in the winter then slice off slivers as they get hungry. It’s a bit like roast beef, but then also has this texture to it that’s a bit similar to tongue.
Also, you should make a point of trying the fermented herring. The smell alone is something you’ll never forget! Just don’t think of it as fish because it’s more like a seasoning or something. You just need the tiniest amount which they serve on a cracker with a slither of potato and some sour cream. It has a pungent taste like a really strong vintage cheese or cured meat – totally, totally unique.

What surprised you most about the food culture?
I’d say the café culture: I didn’t expect coffee to be such a major thing in Sweden but it really is. They are the second-biggest consumers of coffee in the world! Their cafés are usually part of a bakery and there are hundreds of different types of pastries, buns and breads that are often quite heavily spiced. I went to some brilliant bakeries in Gamla Stan, which is the old town in Stockholm. It is definitely one of the most stunning medieval towns around. All in all I would say this city was the most surprising place we visited, it even ended up being my favorite chapter in the book!

About the author: Danny McCubbin is the website editor for JamieOliver.com


Jamie does...