Swedish Fish are the nautical gummy of the candy world. Without a doubt, these chewy fish candies have made a big splash in the candy market. They come in both regular and small sizes and are neon red. They did make an impressive $126. 8 million in profit in 2021, after all. How about this? Even though Swedish Fish are very popular, do we really know what they should taste like?
Some people may say that the red gummy fish tastes like cherry, while others might say it tastes more like strawberry. Others may even say that the taste reminds them of fruit punch. Who could blame them? If you see a red candy, you probably expect it to taste like one of those well-known flavors. While these are all good guesses, none of them are correct.
The true flavor, believe it or not, isnt cherry, strawberry, or fruit punch. In fact, its a berry — a lingonberry, to be exact.
Red Swedish Fish – those chewy sweet gummy candies shaped like fish – are a nostalgic treat loved by many. But their unique flavor has confounded candy fans for years. So what exactly gives Red Swedish Fish their distinctive taste?
As a kid, I always assumed they were cherry or strawberry flavored, thanks to their bright red color However, according to Swedish Fish maker Malaco, the fruity flavor is actually lingonberry!
What Are Lingonberries?
Lingonberries are a tasty tart red berry that grow wild in forests and meadows throughout Scandinavia, northern Europe, and North America. They are quite small, ranging from 0.2 – 0.4 inches across Some key facts about lingonberries
- Closely related to cranberries and blueberries
- Have a tart, slightly fruity flavor
- Often cooked into jams, compotes and syrups
- Frequently paired with game meats in Scandinavian cuisine
- Contain beneficial antioxidants like vitamin C, manganese and polyphenols
So Red Swedish Fish have a lingonberry jam-like flavor profile. But the mystery doesn’t end there!
More Than Just Lingonberry
Upon closer inspection, Swedish Fish seem to have more complex flavors blended in. Many taste-testers, including myself, pick up notes of cherry or raspberry along with the distinctive lingonberry zing.
According to flavor experts, Red Swedish Fish contain an artificial blend of several fruity essences, including:
- Lingonberry – provides the signature tang
- Raspberry – adds sweetness
- Strawberry – contributes a jammy richness
- Cherry – gives a candy-like pop of flavor
This artful blend creates a fruity flavor that is uniquely Swedish Fish! The lingonberry is essential, but the other fruits complement it perfectly.
Why Are They Shaped Like Fish?
The fish shape is an homage to the origins of Swedish Fish. In the late 1950s, the Swedish candy company Malaco came up with a fish-shaped gummy candy inspired by the fishing industry in Sweden. The gummy texture was meant to resemble the flesh of real fish (I know, gross!) These original “Swedish Fish” were actually colored orange and black to resemble a sea trout.
When the candy came to North America in the 1960s, manufacturers altered the colors to be more appealing. The red color likely came from the lingonberry flavor, to mimic their natural red hue. The fish shape endured over the decades, becoming an iconic part of the Swedish Fish brand.
Fun Flavor Varieties
In addition to the original Red lingonberry Swedish Fish, other fun flavor varieties have emerged over the years:
- Green – Lime flavor
- Yellow – Lemon flavor
- Orange – Orange flavor
- Purple – Grape flavor
The green and purple colors make sense based on lime and grape flavors. But I have to wonder, why is the lemon flavor yellow and the orange flavor actually orange? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? Candy coloring conventions are so weird!
Regardless, it’s fun to sample the different fruity flavors. The lime and grape are my personal favorites after the OG red lingonberry.
Sweet Treat with a Tart Twist
After investigating the complex flavor profile of Red Swedish Fish, I have a new appreciation for these sweet little candies. More than just a single fruit flavor, they offer a tangy, jam-like blend with the lovely lingonberry at its core. It’s no wonder Swedish Fish have been a beloved candy for over 60 years!
The next time you see those shiny little red fish at the checkout counter, grab a bag and savor their unique tart-sweet taste. And ponder the mysterious fruits blended into each chewy little fishy. Thanks for satisfying our curiosity, Swedish Fish!
The true flavor of Swedish Fish is lingonberry
Chances are you might not have had a lingonberry before. However, if you’ve ever eaten a pack of Swedish Fish, you know what they taste like. Lingonberry is a type of berry found in Europe and certain parts of North America. As with berries in the U.S., lingonberries are often used as a flavoring in Europe, especially in Scandinavia.
Fresh lingonberries are said to taste sour and tart at the same time, with a hint of sweetness, like cranberries. You’re not completely wrong if you think that since Swedish Fish taste like lingonberries, they should also taste sour. There is one case, though, where the real fruit and its fake counterpart are not exactly the same. In the same way that fake banana flavoring doesn’t taste exactly like real bananas, fake lingonberry flavoring doesn’t taste exactly like real lingonberries. When sugars and other sweeteners are added, the flavor is further removed from tasting like the actual berry.
Whether they are artificial or not, Swedish Fish by themselves will have that familiar lingonberry taste. Over the years, the flavor of Swedish Fish has been used to make a few different treats.