Scandinavian · main
Surströmming
Surströmming reads richness 5.2, umami 3.8 and sourness 3.6 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Scandinavian main, about 2 hr 5 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.
The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10
- Umami & Savory — 4.6 / 10
- Sweet & Fruity — 1.1 / 10
- Sour & Bright — 3.6 / 10
- Bitter & Earthy — 1.4 / 10
- Rich & Fat — 5.4 / 10
- Aromatic & Spice — 3.6 / 10
The measured notes (of 18)
Richness 5.2 · Umami 3.8 · Sourness 3.6 · Herbaceous 3.3 · Marine & Briny 3.2 · Funk & Ferment 3.0 · Allium 2.5 · Earthy 1.3 · Salinity 1.3 · Sweetness 1.1 · Floral 0.7
What's in it (8)
- 1 can (15 oz) Baltic herring (surströmming)
- 8 pieces mandelbröd flatbread
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 lb boiled potatoes
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp chives, chopped
- fresh dill sprigs
Time & effort: about 2 hr 5 min (35 min active) · effort: easy
Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 120.9 kcal, 5.9 g protein, 5.8 g fat, 11.4 g carbs
Dietary: Contains meat · Contains seafood · Contains dairy — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.
How it's cooked (3 steps)
- Open the can of fermented herring outdoors or near an open window due to the intense aroma, and immediately transfer the fish to a bowl.
- Rinse the fillets gently under cold water and place on thin flatbread spread with butter.
- Top with boiled almond potatoes, finely diced red onion, and sour cream, then fold or roll to eat.
Dishes with a similar flavor shape
- Castleton Tuna Mac Salad — American
- Spicy Fish Curry — Indian
- Hortobágyi Palacsinta — Hungarian
- Smørrebrød — Scandinavian
- Alicha (Mild Lamb or Vegetable Stew) — Ethiopian
Keep reading: what richness, umami, sourness mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.
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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.