THE STORY OF CINNAMON AND SWEDISH CINNAMON BUNS (2024)

Not many things make us more nostalgic and remind us more of our childhood than the smell of freshly baked cinnamon buns. Is there anything better than walking into a kitchen filled with the smell of these heavenly buns when they have just made their way out the of oven? Cinnamon has been used as a flavouring in cooking for a long time. History books tell us that Gustav Vasa was a big fan and ambassador of cinnamon and he made sure that the Swedes had access to this delicious spice. He imported massive amounts of cinnamon for his wedding for everyone to enjoy. This is what gave rise to another Swedish delicacy: mulled wine or as it’s called in Swedish- glögg. During the 1800s the Swedes also started to add cinnamon (or kanel as it’s called in Swedish) to vodka and aquavit and this is where the expression "bli på kanelen" ("be on the cinnamon") stems from which you say to people who’ve had a few too many drinks. Even in baking, cinnamon has been used since the 1600s and has since then become more and more common. The cinnamon bun, however, has only really been around since ca 1920. By then the First World War was over, and getting hold of goods and ingredients had become much easier. However, the bun did not begin to gain real popularity until the 1950s, when butter became a cheap product that regular people could afford. This is when the cinnamon bun started to really kick off in popularity and if you think about it, today the cinnamon bun is one of the most Swedish things there is.

THE STORY OF CINNAMON AND SWEDISH CINNAMON BUNS (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of the Swedish cinnamon bun? ›

Origins. Roman spice traders introduced the Sri Lankan cinnamon spice to Europe. The spice later began to be used in Swedish pastries, with the modern kanelbulle ( lit. ''cinnamon bun'') being created after the first world war.

Why are cinnamon buns so popular in Sweden? ›

The bun itself has only been around since 1920. Post World War I, wealth levels were up and people could afford luxurious ingredients such as cinnamon, but it was only later, during the 1950s that the bun truly became a beloved Swedish staple. And a staple it has remained.

What does cinnamon roll mean in slang? ›

(slang, neologism) A person perceived as good, gentle and kind. Often a fictional character who undergoes emotional suffering. quotations ▼

What is the difference between American and Swedish cinnamon rolls? ›

Swedish Cinnamon Buns are not radically different from other cinnamon buns, but they do diverge in one fundamental way: rather than having the fluffiness of, say American cinnamon buns, they are more solid, more bready (and certainly less sweet) and yet they do have a certain bounce and softness, too.

What is the cinnamon tradition in Sweden? ›

Around 57% of all Swedes are believed to eat at least one cinnamon bun on 4 October. And to give you an idea of how important Cinnamon Bun Day is to the Swedish fika tradition, we can tell you that at least half of all employers in Sweden treat their employees to cinnamon buns on the day.

How many cinnamon buns do Swedes eat? ›

The average Swede consumes as many as 230 cinnamon rolls a year and the pastry is so popular that it even has its own day in the calendar. Kanelbullens Dag (Cinnamon Bun Day) takes place every year on October 4th, with an estimated eight million cinnamon rolls sold across Sweden on that day alone.

What is the most common breakfast in Sweden? ›

While oatmeal or porridge may be the historical breakfast choice of everyone from Vikings to peasants, there are plenty of other traditions ingrained into typical Swedish fare. The most basic staple is filmjölk, a soured buttermilk.

Are cinnamon rolls danish or Swedish? ›

The Swedes claim it originated there in the 1920s, though ask any Nordic country in Europe and they'll tell you the sweet roll was actually their invention. Regardless of its exact birthplace, the bun is a staple of Scandinavian baking and commonly enjoyed during FIKA, a get-together with friends.

What is the national cake of Sweden? ›

Sweden's national cake – if there were such a thing officially – is the princess cake ('prinsesstårta'). This globe-shaped layer cake is a well-balanced affair, consisting of a light-as-air sponge cake base topped with vanilla pastry cream and lashings of fluffy whipped cream.

What does buns mean on a woman? ›

Your buns are your buttocks. [mainly US, informal]

What does cinnamon roll mean in romance? ›

In the parlance of romance novels, a “cinnamon roll” is a sweet, supportive, and kind hero—the anti–Christian Grey. The phrase alludes to a 2014 Onion headline, “Beautiful Cinnamon Roll Too Good for This World, Too Pure,” and has come to represent a subgenre of books that push back on toxic masculinity.

What does roll mean vulgar? ›

slang. an act of sexual intercourse or petting (esp in the phrase a roll in the hay )

Why is cinnamon so popular in Sweden? ›

Cinnamon has been used as a flavouring in cooking for a long time. History books tell us that Gustav Vasa was a big fan and ambassador of cinnamon and he made sure that the Swedes had access to this delicious spice.

What is the history of Swedish cinnamon rolls? ›

Despite being celebrated as a must-have in the Swedish fika culture, the cinnamon bun pastry did not become commonplace until the 1920s (after World War I), when its ingredients (flour, butter, sugar, yeast, and cinnamon) went from being on a list of rationed goods (ransoneringslista) to becoming more affordable.

How do you say cinnamon bun in Swedish? ›

Kanelbullar or cinnamon buns are a classic at Swedish coffee parties. During the golden age of home baking, such parties turned into orgies of sweet yeast breads, small cookies, cookies with fillings, pastries and cakes. This tradition lives on in Sweden.

Why is cinnamon popular in Sweden? ›

Cinnamon has been used as a flavouring in cooking for a long time. History books tell us that Gustav Vasa was a big fan and ambassador of cinnamon and he made sure that the Swedes had access to this delicious spice.

What is cinnamon bun day in Sweden? ›

Cinnamon Roll Day
TypeSwedish and Finnish festival
CelebrationsBaking and eating cinnamon rolls
Date4 October
Next time4 October 2024
4 more rows

Where do cinnamon buns originate? ›

Kanelbullar or cinnamon buns are a classic at Swedish coffee parties. During the golden age of home baking, such parties turned into orgies of sweet yeast breads, small cookies, cookies with fillings, pastries and cakes. This tradition lives on in Sweden.

What is the history of saffron buns in Sweden? ›

There it was believed that the devil, in the form of a cat, would give the bad children a beating, while a Christ figure, in the form of a child, would hand out sweet buns to all the kind ones. To keep the devil away, the sweet buns were colored with luminous yellow saffron spice.

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