Kalix Lojrom

Lojrom is the roe of the vendace, a small whitefish that spawns in the estuaries where the rivers of Norrbotten meet the Bothnian Bay - water that is nearly fresh and heavily loaded with the minerals the rivers carry down, which is what the producers credit for the taste. The grains are small, orange and firm, and the standard serving is with smetana, finely chopped red onion and sometimes potato. The fishery runs a short licensed season in October and November and processing is done locally within hours. In 2010 Kalix Lojrom became the first Swedish product to receive a protected designation of origin from the European Union.

The main sights

• Roe from Bothnian Bay estuaries - nearly fresh, mineral-heavy water.
• A short licensed season - October and November only.
• Served with smetana and onion - the standard preparation.
• The first Swedish PDO - granted in 2010.

When to go

October and November for the season; served year round from frozen stock. A meal.

Practical notes

It is expensive - among the priciest Swedish foods by weight. The fresh season is very short. Much of what is sold elsewhere is frozen. Kalix itself has little to offer beyond the product.

Nearby

Lulea and Gammelstad are south-west; the Finnish border is east.