Swedes are passionate about cheese – and they have strong opinions on how it should be eaten.
A new survey conducted by Verian on behalf of dairy producer Skånemejerier has found that cheese is more than just a staple food in Sweden; it is surrounded by unwritten social rules. The study reveals that 82 per cent of Swedes prefer domestically produced cheese over imported varieties, while many also have firm views on how cheese should be handled.
The nation’s biggest cheese crime is to create a so-called “ski slope” when slicing cheese. According to the survey, 84 per cent of respondents react negatively when someone carves an uneven groove into a block of cheese, making it difficult for others to cut neat slices.
“Cheese has an obvious place on Swedish breakfast, lunch and dinner tables, so it naturally becomes a topic of discussion,” said Stefan Andersson, plant manager at Kristianstad Dairy and head of cheese production for Skånemejerier. “There is almost an unspoken etiquette around how it should be treated.”
Andersson recommends slicing from the wider end towards the tip while applying even pressure to avoid creating the dreaded “ski slope”. If one does appear, he advises levelling it out before it becomes too deep.
The survey also suggests that cheese plays an important social role. Turning down cheese can raise eyebrows, with 43 per cent of respondents saying they react negatively when someone refuses to eat it. Meanwhile, 36 per cent said they view it unfavourably when people dislike strong, mature cheeses.
“As a great cheese enthusiast, I’m delighted by these results,” Andersson said. “They show that cheese remains a natural part of Swedish food culture. Producing well-aged, flavourful cheese requires considerable craftsmanship, and it is rewarding to see that appreciated by so many people.”
The survey was based on interviews with 1,077 Swedes aged 18 to 84 and was conducted between 18 and 27 February 2026.