Exchange student Jeanne Floch didn’t know what to expect when the sour stromming jar arrived.
Suddenly she had shovels everywhere.
– Oh God, I got it in the face, she exclaimed.
It’s August 17 and the premiere of the loved, hated and respected fermented fish sourströmming.
The controversial fish has been in the news this year as well, when reports of fish shortages caused the queues outside (mostly northern) grocery stores to get long. Even future acid stream premieres have been stated to be threatened as the stream stock in the Baltic Sea has decreased.
On Youtube, it is a popular feature to try the Norrland delicacy and the reactions are often strong – as strong as the smell.
However, After Five has found some keen test pilots who are willing to try the little fish.
At Stockholm University, a group of unsuspecting exchange students sit around a table outside.
They will immediately understand why the feature was not recorded indoors.
Gets the shovel right in the face
When reporter Nanna Martorell puts the opener in the can and presses it, it sprays acid stream spade straight up in all directions.
Some end up on After Five’s camera, some on a guy running away from the table while a poor exchange student gets a good shower right in the face.
– Oh god, I got it in the face! My hair is full of it, says French exchange student Jeanne Floch.
– I am so sorry, exclaims Nanna Martorell.
However, Jeanne Floch takes the incident well.
– It’s no worse than really strong cheese, or really smelly feet, she says about the smell.