Berlin Hosts the Return of the Swedish Cup
Flaunting a classic twist: That's the essence of the renowned dessert in question. Two scoops of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of apple sauce, a generous swig of egg liqueur, and a drizzle of cream - and voila, the legendary Swedish cup is served! Although its origins are shrouded in myth, some claim it was first whipped up in the 1950s at an ice cream parlor in Pankow.
The enticing name of this dessert is steeped in legend, with tales of Walter Ulbricht naming his favorite after the Swedish ice hockey team's victory over West Germany during the 1952 Winter Olympics. Whether this story is true or not, it sure adds to the appeal of this delightful vanilla-apple treat.
Fast forward to present-day Berlin, and the Swedish cup seems poised for a modern comeback. Renowned chef Tim Raue has given it a place on the menu at his restaurant Sphere, perched 207 meters high in the TV tower. Here, the DDR classic has been a hit since the beginning of the month.
Taking a peek at social media, we see Tim Raue's version as "The Real Swedish Cup," a spin on "delicious vanilla and egg liqueur ice cream, apple preparation with spicy chocolate sauce," priced at 11.50 euros. With other establishments following suit, it seems this traditional dessert is making a return to the city's food scene.
Decades ago, the Swedish cup was as popular as spaghetti ice cream in West Germany, and it's not hard to imagine it making a big comeback. Indeed, the culinary scene in Berlin has been seeing a resurgence of traditional German dishes like Königsberger Klopse, now widely available in various locations across the city [2][3].
In some traditional ice cream parlors, the Swedish cup is still a staple: the Eiscafé Monheim in Wilmersdorf, known for adhering to traditions as Berlin's oldest ice cream parlor; the Eiscafé Moin Moin on Baumschulenstraße and the Eiscafé Malibu on Leonorenstraße; the Restaurant Blattlaus Adlershof; and the Alpenwirt in Friedrichshain.
While the specifics of the Swedish cup renaissance remain unclear, it's safe to say that Berlin's rich café culture will welcome this retro dessert with open arms [1][5]. If you're a dessert aficionado, keep an eye out for this revitalized classic in your favorite bakeries and cafes!
[1] https://www.visitberlin.de/en/tips-and-ideas/coffee-culture[2] https://www.visitberlin.de/en/tips-and-ideas/konigsberger-klopse[3] https://www.berliner-zeiten.de/konigsberger-klopse-komplett-werden-in-berlin-wiederentdeckt/
- Embracing the sporting spirit, one might conceive a play inspired around the revitalization of the Swedish cup, intertwining its history with the exciting moments of football, perhaps highlighting the Champions League or European leagues.
- parallel to the culinary resurgence of traditional dishes like Königsberger Klopse, imagine a cooking show exploring timeless recipes of classic desserts, including the preparation of the renowned Swedish cup.
- After savoring Tim Raue's culinary twist on the Swedish cup, indulge in an evening of entertainment, watching Germany's top teams compete in the European leagues, enjoying a rich lifestyle that effortlessly blends food-and-drink with sports.
- In between matches, engage in engaging discussions about the comeback of traditional delicacies, comparing the intricate flavors of the Swedish cup with the tactics of various football teams, enriching both food-and-drink and sports enthusiasts' experiences.