Kalix löjrom: Sweden's prized vendace roe and how to serve it

Löjrom is the small, golden-orange roe of the vendace (Coregonus albula, siklöja in Swedish), a freshwater whitefish. In English it is often sold as "bleak roe". The best-known löjrom comes from the Kalix archipelago in the Bothnian Bay, in the far north of Sweden, where it carries the EU protected designation of origin Kalix Löjrom. Swedes often call it their own caviar, and it is a fixture on festive tables.

What makes Kalix löjrom special

• Protected origin: only roe from vendace caught in the defined Kalix area of the Bothnian Bay may be called Kalix Löjrom. It was the first Swedish food to receive the EU protected designation of origin (PDO).
• A short autumn season: the roe is harvested during a few weeks in autumn, when the vendace spawn.
• The brackish water: the low-salt water of the northern Baltic gives a clean, mild roe with small, firm grains.

What it tastes like

Delicate, clean and lightly salted, with fine grains that pop gently on the tongue. It is milder and sweeter than sturgeon caviar and far less salty than the smoked cod roe Swedes squeeze from a tube.

How to serve löjrom

• The classic: on toast or blini with crème fraîche or sour cream, finely chopped red onion and a little dill.
• On a potato: a warm boiled new potato, a spoon of sour cream and a spoon of roe.
• With Västerbotten pie: a slice of Västerbotten cheese pie with löjrom, sour cream and red onion is a much-loved Swedish combination. See how to serve it.
• On seafood starters: a few grains on skagenröra, a seared scallop or a seafood canapé.
• To drink: chilled sparkling wine, a crisp dry white or a small aquavit. More in what to drink with Swedish seafood.

Tips for serving

• Keep it refrigerated and serve it well chilled, straight from the fridge.
• Use a spoon of bone, mother of pearl, wood or plastic if you can; metal can affect the taste.
• Spoon it gently so the grains stay whole, and keep the other flavours simple: the roe is the star.
• As a starter topping, a small spoonful per person goes a long way. For a whole table, the 200 g or 500 g size is practical.

Löjrom, kaviar or caviar?

Strictly speaking, caviar is sturgeon roe. Löjrom is vendace roe, Swedish kaviar is a smoked cod roe spread, and stenbitsrom is lumpfish roe. Our guide roe explained sets out the differences.

Order Kalix löjrom in Switzerland

Our Kalix löjrom comes in 100 g, 200 g, 500 g and 1 kg. Order by Monday 22:00 for home delivery on Friday (CHF 29, minimum order CHF 100), or pick it up for free in our Zollikon shop or at Morges Market. See delivery and our delicacies.