German Cuisine

Tips & insights on
German cuisine for
diners & travelers

by an established authority

What is

German cuisine?

The term "German Cuisine" is difficult to define precisely because:

Germany is a land of regional cuisines.

An increasing number of Germans prefer lighter over heavier traditional fare.

More Germans take vacations abroad. They bring home foreign culinary concepts and adopt them into their cooking and eating styles.

The influx of Turkish and other foreign workers has accelerated the introduction of new flavors and menu items.

Still, there remains today a German cuisine with a distinct, time-honored character. Click the buttons below to learn more about that German cuisine.

Also read the four sections below on this page for an overview of some important German cuisine traits.

Meat & seafood

Red meats

Pork is the favorite, though beef frequently appears on household tables.

Fowl

Chicken and duck are popular, but it is the goose (traditionally cooked and served with apples and prunes) that captures the fancy of most German diners.

Game

The country abounds with forests and, consequently, game like venison, wild boar, hare, pheasant, and river trout contribute to the national fine dining tradition.

Seafood

Northern Germany has lengthy Baltic and North Sea coastlines. The cool waters yield abundant and flavorful seafood.

Vegetables

Potatoes

They add to Germany's high carbohydrate count, appearing either boiled, or shredded for pancakes or dumplings. Interestingly, these tubers are a relatively recent (mid 18th century) addition to the historical German larder.

Other vegetables

Hearty vegetables such as red and green cabbage (fresh or fermented into sauerkraut), carrots, radishes, and turnips are popular, as is the delicate white asparagus for which Germany is famous.

Seasonings

Herbs such as dill, chervil, basil, and thyme are used; so are caraway seeds, juniper berries, and prepared mustard. A sweet sour flavor, obtained with vinegar and fresh or dried fruit, is highly prized.

Baking

Germany has some of the best bakers in the world. They create elaborate cakes and pastries. Their baking skills also extend into breads, including full flavored and textured pumpernickel as well as lighter rye and wheat breads.

German cuisine

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I hope my German Cuisine page

helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications