© Lifecruiser 2007 (Home, Sweden)
Kalles Kaviar is a very classic sandwich paste made from cod roe, which has been very popular here in Sweden for many years – I’ve been eating it through my whole life now and then. It’s one of Swedens strongest brands.
It’s salty, mildly smoked and used not only as a pure sandwich paste, but also on the morning eggs or in different mixture in different dishes. It’s very useful for cooking chef’s with other words.
The name Kalle is originating from the boy on the tube – Carl (nicknamed Calle) Ameln who’s father Christian Ameln was managing director of the manufacturer Abba, when Kalles Kaviar were launched back in 1954.
Abba is long established and has had it’s head office in Stockholm since around 1850 – so Abba the worldfamous Swedish music band had to ask them for permission to use the same name. Their unusual reply was a note saying Good luck and a box of tinned tuna!
In the fifties Abba bought a recipe of caviar from peddlers for 1000 Swedish crowns and Abbas caviar chef’s started to blend, taste and test. It was all about developing and finding new trends. Which they certainly succeeded with!
The content in the tube has in most parts been the same through out the years, it’s only the design of the package that has been modernized very slightly. I think that has been wise of them since the design of the tube is so wellknown and loved.
Kalles Kaviar is one of the things we Swedes really long for when we’re abroad, like Swedish crispbread – they’re actually excellent together.
Even Jamie Oliver, the famous English chef, once admitted when he was interviewed in Stockholm, that Kalles Kaviar was very interesting and could be used in a lot of dishes.
For our Norwegian readers I can make you happy to mention that Abba Seafood since 1995 is a part of the Norwegian Orkla corporate group. It’s spread all over the Nordic countries actually and Abba Seafood is today the Nordic leading producer of products from the Sea.
Unfortunately for us Swedes, many of our genuine Swedish corporations is sold out to foreign countries nowadays, so we no longer really know what’s Swedish any more.
It’s the sad true…
Sources:
Lifecruiser, Abba Seafood, Things Swedish by Mari Hemming
How cool – caviar in a tube.
I just know I would love the stuff.
Have a Super Saturday
Lifecruiser: Yes, it is very coool, especially since it’s so old
I never knew caviar came in a tube. I will take your word that it tastes good. I’m afraid I don’t like sea food. Great idea for the salty theme. Have a great weekend.
Lifecruiser: No, this is the only one I’ve heard of so far too
Thanks, you too!
My brother used to love Kalle’s kaviar when he was a kid
For my taste it’s a bit too salty.
Lifecruiser: For me, it’s like yuk-yummy – I can’t eat it too much or it would become disguisting to me
In Germany you can find it, and also similar pastes in Belgium it’s something people usually don’t know, and it exist only at IKEA (of course) but in Waterloo we have a swedish shop with all swedish specialities and there you can find everything. There are so many swedish people living here. Only in our street already 3 families !
Lifecruiser: I wonder if it’s because of EU that it lives so many Swedes there? Or was it like that before EU too?
Very interesting history behind the caviar! Thanks for sharing that information! Neat that it comes in a tube! Since it’s fish, I bet I’d like it!
Lifecruiser: Yes, I bet that too
Well, I can’t say that looks appetizing to me, but it was interesting.
Happy hunting.
Lifecruiser: I can’t say it looks appetizing either, but it is
I have never had any type of roe at all. Your history and comments were so interesting for me. Thank you!
Lifecruiser: You’re welcome
caviar in a tube!
would love to try that!
Lifecruiser: Yes, it’s a pity it’s not more known that it is
That looks disgusting to me….ewwwwwwwww. Sounds even worse. *giggles*
Mine’s posted this week…OLD SALTS
Lifecruiser: Hm… Yes, actually it would too me too if I hadn’t already tried it! *s*
Fascinating product history! Thanks for the “swell” read, as June & Ward Cleaver would have said (stars of USA’s “Leave it to Beaver,” sitcom in the 1950s).
Also, I also want to personally thank you for all the vintage art you display on your blog. I think that Abba’s decision to keep the logo & pic intact is wise.
Good business sense.
PS: My local supermarket stocks Swedish Krispbread, and I eat it w/ Vermont extra sharp cheddar, or sometimes Danish Havarti:shock:.
Lifecruiser: Oh, Danish Havarti – say no more! That….uhum…. SMELLS like anything else
ohhh…never heard of that! i bet it taste good!
Lifecruiser: Yes, it really does
)
Caviar in a tube? Interesting photo.
Cheers!
Lifecruiser: Yes, I suppose that is the best reason for why it came to stay during the years
Oh that looks so good! I love salty fishy things and this would be in my fridge for sure!
Lifecruiser: It’s very good to have now and then yes
Good twist on the theme!
I never saw all these fish products in a tube before I came to live in DK.
Tuna, Mackerel, tuna and tomato, mackerel and tomatos and caviar and what ever! I like my caviar in a glass!! Love your photo!
Happy Weekend
L
Lifecruiser: Yes, I believe that Denmark and maybe even Norway beats us Swedes when it comes to fish products
I learned something about caviar today and never knew it came from a tube.
I really learning something from the photo hunters postings.
Lifecruiser: I don’t know, but maybe we Swedes are alone about this?
oops – last comment…. I really LOVE learning something from the photo hunters postings!
Lifecruiser: Good! *s*
Fish paste in a tube. I guess you have to be brought up on the stuff to appreciate it.. like Vegemite:)
Lifecruiser: Well, it’s not exactly fish paste, it’s roe paste, slightly difference there since fish paste would taste sooo much more fish than roe does
Then, it depend sin how fond you really are in fish of course…. But I assure you – it sounds more disguisting than it is! *s*
I love the history behind it but can’t say I have ever enjoyed caviar in any form. I did note when visiting my brother in Austria, that a lot of things are sold in those large tubes… mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, etc.
Lifecruiser: Yes, it’s like that here too. Very many different things in tube. It’s practical.
It sounds wonderful (talk about getting hungry…) and it is such an interesting story. For your comfort, know that at least IKEA will always look Swedish to the whole world, despite globalization.
Cheers and happy saturday!
Lifecruiser: Yes, you’ve got a point there – cheers to you too
I thought is was frosting and a suger cookie until I started to read your explanation! LOL I should have paid more attention! My photo is up!
Lifecruiser: Oh my, imagine the horrible feeling if you’re expecting the taste of frosting and sugar coookie and takes a bite of this salty caviar!!!!
Thanks for the education. Now I can say I’ve learned my something new for today. You are SALT of the earth!
Lifecruiser: At least a salty chick? *lol*
unfortunately i can say the same thing for coorporations in this country. too much seems to be sold out to foreign countries.
i have never eaten caviar but my sis often does..
i miss happy and i’m sure you do too..i wish he wouldn’t have quit..
i’m so happy to be here visiting you..i enjoy myself so very much here. you are hillarious. hope your back is better..hugs.
Lifecruiser: Thanks Chana, I’m so glad to have you back here too
Yes, isn’t that sad? Both regarding the companys AND Happy and Blue 2. I can understand him, but we all miss him very much, he was brighten our days with his special humor….
thanks, this story of caviar is very interesting. Caviar is so expensive in France so i ate only one or two mals in my life some caviar.
I didn’t know this paste and I will see to IKEA to find it!
Lifecruiser: I hope you find it – it would be interesting to know what you think about it! Even if you shouldn’t like it I mean. You’ll never know – the taste is so different for different persons
I think it would be an acquired taste. Thanks for sharing the story with us. I too will check IKEA to see if they stock it here. Happy weekend.
Lifecruiser: Good luck. Let me know if you do find it!
Interesting product that is……
I played too.
http://photogfrog.livejournal.com/
Lifecruiser: Yes, it sure is
Nice to see a photo of this must-have condiment to swedish cuisine that i’ve been reading about recently
Intruiging concept. The Aussie “Vegemite” (concentrated yeast exract) is probably the equivalent in terms of being something salty and a cultural icon which has also been sold-out to a foreign company. Goes well with morning eggs too, though you’d only use just a smear in comparison to Kalles so it makes me curious as to how salty it could be.
Lifecruiser: Don’t you make me try to explain the taste! And thhe recipe is a secret so i can’t get any help from there either….*LMAO*
Good Morning young swede lady. Hope you had a sweet and not salty night.
But, I must say, Kalles kaviar, thats only for children! Too sweet for me. I haver never eaten Kalles after the age of 14. Too much sugar. And you know it.
Real Caviar is without Sugar. grrruummpp. Must I turn up on your Island during this Summer and show you:)))((?
Lifecruiser: Well, we’re very childish in this country
Sugar? I can’t say that I think it’s sweet even if it contains some sugar. Though it’s not my gourmet favorite either. Then, It’s not supposed to be a gourmet delicacy, it’s supposed to be an everyday sandwich paste
My own gourmet favorite is whitefish roe. The brand Lobster has an excellent one that is available in our normal grocery shops, frozen but delicious.
Another item I had never heard of! But if it’s fish roe of any kind, my hubby would stand in line to try it! lol..me, not so much! …My photo is up too, please come and visit
Lifecruiser: Well, it’s not that remarkable, but a good everyday paste
Lifecruiser: Well, you’ll never know until you’ve tried, do you? I don’t think it’s looks so yummy either despite the fact that I know how it taste….