This Is Why IKEA's Meatballs Are So Delicious
The meatballs at IKEA have successfully haltedthe downward spiral of more than one rapidly-declining
shopping trip.
But is this a function of the quality of themeatballs themselves, or are there other psychological
factors in play?
These are the reasons why IKEA's meatballsare so delicious.
Ikea sells about one billion meatballs worldwide,each and every year.
"When you say IKEA most people think of probablya piece of furniture, or our Swedish meatballs."
Because of the insane volume of meatball sales,we wouldn't blame you for assuming that they're
also loaded with all sorts of weird additives,preservatives, and laboratory-grade chemicals.
But amazingly, IKEA delivers a billion ofthese babies to hungry shoppers each year,
using all-natural ingredients.
The Ikea website lists the contents of theirmeatballs, and the rundown is surprisingly
simple: A combination of pork and beef, onion,breadcrumbs, egg, water, salt, and pepper.
This gentle seasoning allows the flavor ofthe meat to shine through, and makes IKEA
meatballs one of those rare quick-servicemeals that's actually made of real food.
"Wow, you have some beautiful balls."
But the beef and pork variety isn't the onlyoption!
In addition to the classic, IKEA offers threemore meatball options in the U.S.: A chicken-based
version, a vegetarian meatball, and believeit or not, a meatball formed from fish, made
from ASC-certified salmon with the additionof MSC-certified cod, and then seasoned with
seaweed and lemongrass.
The new "salmon balls" are sold as part ofa meal for $5.99, in some locations, and come
with two sides: fennel and cabbage, and mashedpotatoes.
If there's one thing that's a little unnervingabout the nutritional makeup of IKEA's legendary
meatballs, it lurks a little deeper in thenutritional information.
According to the company's website, the 12-meatballplate packs a pretty serious amount of salt,
to the tune of 1,520 milligrams.
This puts you more than halfway toward therecommended daily allowance for adults, according
to the Center for Disease Control, with justone sit-down snack.
"Oh my God."
So what's the link between saltiness and deliciousness?
According to Fine Cooking, some people thinksalt is delicious because of our biological
need for sodium chloride.
But there's more to salt's appeal than simplebiology.
Salt can enhance sweetness, help block bitterflavors, and can help make meats juicier.
Let's talk for a minute about the conceptof "manufactured scarcity."
Basically, the idea is that by artificiallydenying access to something, customers will
crave it much more than they ordinarily would.
"Oh no, oh not now."
"What's the matter?"
"McRib is back."
Want an example?
Look at McDonald's "McRib" sandwich, whichhas had several "farewell" tours and is constantly
rumored to be discontinued, but which stillgets trotted out once or twice a year.
Every time, fans go crazy for the McRib, notbecause it's an excellent sandwich, but because
of its limited availability.
So, the same concept probably applies to yourlove of IKEA meatballs.
If you ate them every single day of your life,you probably wouldn't enjoy them so much.
But on the special occasion that you've successfullybraved the crowds at IKEA?
"Let's go."
Though most of us don't know our lingonberriesfrom our snozzberries, we can all agree that
the sharp tartness of that jam pairs perfectlywith those wondrous meatballs.
"What do the American kids say?
Jelly."
According to Tasting Table, there are twomain reasons why you may enjoy a slice of
cheddar cheese with your apple pie, dippingfrench fries into your Frosty, or dabbing
your salty meatballs in a swipe of sweet-and-tartlingonberry jam.
First, the salt in the meatballs makes sweetfoods appear to taste even sweeter.
The second reason, is biology: Our bodiesneed both salt and sweets, since we tend to
think that sweet foods are the most energy-rich,and sticking both things in our mouth at the
same time makes us think we've hit the evolutionarysurvival jackpot.
Have you ever noticed that during prolongedperiods of stress or anxiety, or after walking
several miles like a rat in a maze made oftiny fully-furnished apartments, guided only
by light-up arrows projected onto the floorto keep you from losing your way, you tend
to get ravenously hungry?
That's never more true than after an afternoonshopping at IKEA.
"I'm a mess, and I'm starving."
By the time you stumble upon the IKEA cafeteria,not-so-accidentally located in the center
of the store, you've probably developed aserious pit in your empty stomach.
That's when a plate of IKEA meatballs is there,right at the exact moment you need them most.
"Mmm.
Well that's lunch done.
Now back to work."
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The meatballs at IKEA have successfully halted the downward spiral of more than one rapidly-declining shopping trip. But is this a function of the quality of the meatballs themselves, or are there other psychological factors in play? These are the reasons why IKEA's meatballs are so delicious. #IKEA #IKEAMeatballs #SwedishMeatballs A recipe for worldwide domination | 0:17 Getting a little salty | 1:41 Treat yo'self | 2:27 That lingonberry jam, though | 3:18 Shopping makes you hungry | 4:02