Ah, Ikea. The furniture, the confusing store layout, the meatballs.
We truly love the Swedish furniture giant, which owns and operates nearly 400 stores in almost 50 nations.
The chain is popular with Brummies, with scores heading to it to bag homeware.
The Brum store is only the third of a new kind of Order and Collection Point stores to open in the UK and the first to open in a city centre.
There is even a drive-in collection service for items ordered online.
There are also larger stores at Wednesbury and Coventry.
But did you know the TRUTH behind those meatballs you love so much?
The furniture giant sells two million meatballs every day.
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, according to the Mirror.
Ikea broke the news over social media.
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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.
When he returned, he brought meatballs, coffee, and stuffed cabbages, each a speciality from Istanbul (then known as Constantinople).
And now the Swedish company is launching an Ikea afternoon tea – yes you read that right.
It comes with a host of tasty treats and drinks for £5.
Cinnamon buns, meatball sandwiches, canapes and cake are all included.
The event is limited to two people per booking and the £5 is payable on the day for each person attending.
Vegetarian options are available, too.
45-minute slots are up for grabs - so you'll need to move quickly.
Check the website for booking slots and locations.
The menu
- - Prawn & egg canape / Seaweed pearl & egg canape (v)
- - Meatball open sandwich / Cheese open sandwich (v)
- - Krustader with herring / Krustader with cheese & gherkin (v)
- - Daim cake (v)
- - Cinnamon bun (v)
- - Kafferprep pastries & biscuits
- - Served with tea/coffee of your choice
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