No, Ikea's famous Swedish meatballs don't actually come from Sweden at all
Swedish meatballs are the cornerstone of any Ikea experience.
The furniture giant sells two million meatballs every day. They're famous – and one of the brand's most prized assets.
But some of the romantic Swedishness of the meatballs, which are served with mash, light gravy and lingonberry jam, has been forever lost.
Ikea's iconic meatballs originated in what is now modern day Turkey.
The shocking news was revealed by Sweden's official Twitter account.
Known as 'köfte' in Turkey, minced meat is pressed into a ball – flatter than the newer Swedish style – and usually served with pide (Turkish bread), and maybe some pickles, salad, hummus even.
It was Sweden's King Charles XII who brought meatballs to Sweden. He used food to foster a relationship with the Ottoman Empire.
After losing a war with Russia in the early 1700s, he was exiled for five years somewhere near Moldova.
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When he returned, he brought meatballs, coffee, and stuffed cabbages, each a speciality from Istanbul (then known as Constantinople).
Lots of people were heartbroken to learn that Ikea is essentially a flatpack assembly of varying cuisines.
Others weren't so fussed – just interested to learn about meatballs.
So far, Ikea hasn't commented on the revelations.
Mirror Online has asked the company where it makes its meatballs today, particularly those served in UK restaurants.
Ikea's meatballs are currently made up of a blend of beef and pork. The ingredients reads: "meat (84%), onion, breadcrumbs, egg, water, salt and pepper."
There's a veggie version too. And chicken.
