6 German Food Misconceptions: It's Not All Schnitzel
Categories: Dining
Are you heading to Germany on vacation? If you're going to be living like a German, you'd better be eating like one, and that includes testing food boundaries for the benefit of your taste buds, camera, and sense of adventure. Check out these common German food misconceptions and get ready to really chow down.
Misconception #1: You'll only find heavy foods like meats and bread at the table.
While dishes of pork, beef, and poultry do find their way into meals on a regular basis, you'll find plenty of lighter fare. You might see a serving of egg noodles accompanying your dish, but you're also likely to catch thoughtfully seasoned white asparagus as well.
Misconception #2: Horseradish is the only German condiment of choice.
If you have a look around German table, you'll notice that mustard is definitely part of the picture. You'll find a curious blend of heat between English and French mustard, with Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf vacation rentals | Düsseldorf travel guide) serving up a substantially spicier condiment.
Misconception #3: Pumpernickel is the most popular and widespread dark bread out there.
Germans pride themselves on high-quality bread, and it takes center stage at breakfast and dinner. Sweet pumpernickel, while well-known, is just one of many of the popular German breads, including rye wheat (roggenmischbrot), onion bread (zwiebelbrot), and whole grain (vollkornbrot).
Misconception #4: German food does not vary considerably by province.
If you have the opportunity to travel throughout Germany and stop at local restaurants, you'll quickly pick up on regional differences that change both the look and the taste of the food. In Thuringia, you can hunt down a variety of specialty sausages that include rich blood sausage and a spreadable sausage eaten much like a pate.
Misconception #5: It is not common to see fresh ingredients like fruits and vegetables as meal accompaniments in Germany.
If you love rustic berry additions to your food, Germany is the right place to be. Wild berries (including blueberries and cranberries) accompany traditional game dishes, while rote Grütze is a traditional red fruit pudding served as dessert in northern Germany.
Misconception #6: Beer is the only German specialty drink of choice.
Head to southern Germany for obstler, distilled from tasty fruit combinations, or simply try an Apfelschorle, a tasty carbonated apple soft drink.
If you're set on living like a German, eating like one is a good first step. Hit the tucked-away restaurants. . . and then tuck in!
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About this Article
This travel guide has been written by Meieli Sawyer Detoni.
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