Each region in Germany has its own specialties and variations. The cuisine of Germany has evolved as a national cuisine through centuries of social and political change with variations from region to region. Some regions of Germany, like Bavaria and neighboring Swabia, share dishes with Austrian and parts of Swiss cuisine. Cooking in the eastern region has more of an Eastern European flavor. There are also foods that are shared by all regions, but prepared differently.
German Cuisine: Baden-Württemberg - When it comes to cuisine, Baden-Württemberg has a range of regional culinary specialties as diverse as the areas from where they come. On a culinary tour of the state you can sample the refined cuisine of Baden and follow the the famous Badische Spargelstrasse (The Baden asparagus route) and the Badische und Württembergische Weinstrasse (wine […]
German Cuisine: Bavaria - Bavarian cooking is hearty and rustic, making very simple ingredients into tasty, satisfying dishes. It is known for its wide variety of Wurst (sausages), meat dishes, Knödel (dumplings) and pasta dishes, as well as for its breads, its sweet dishes and its dessert. Bavaria is known as the “Weisswurst Equator.” The Weisswurst was created in […]
German Cuisine: Berlin - Cooking in the German city and state of Berlin is simple and down-to-earth and meals are hearty and satisfying. Cooking here has been influenced by the immigrants from neighboring regions. Very common in Berlin are dishes with pork, goose, fish (such as carp, eel, and pike), cabbage, legumes (such as peas, lentils, turnips, and beans), […]
German Cuisine: Brandenburg - Brandenburg is not only Germany’s fifth largest federal state, it was also the heart of the former Prussian Empire. It is a place of historical significance and home to one of Germany’ most delectable specialties – the “Spreewälder Gurke” (pickled gherkin from Spreewald in Brandenburg). Cooking in Brandenburg is down-to-earth and simple. The potato is […]
German Cuisine: Bremen - Bremen‘s closeness to the ocean and its role as a major harbor city have greatly influenced cooking in the region. This is evident in the many recipes using exotic ingredients imported from distant countries. Likewise, Bremen is known for its exceptional coffee which it obtains from its worldwide trade partners. The most important vegetables in […]
German Cuisine: Hamburg - The Hanseatic League was a group of trading guilds (Hanse) that existed during the 13th – 17th centuries. The purpose of this league was to maintain a trading monopoly over Northern Europe, in particular the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. While the League disintegrated in the late 16th Century, three of its cities, namely […]
German Cuisine: Hesse - Culinary specialties in Hessen (Hesse in English) vary according to the region. Influences from the neighboring state of Thuringia are found in Northern Hessen, whereas in Southern Hessen, culinary specialties are inspired by the cuisine of the Rheinhessen and Franconia areas. Whatever the area of influence, potatoes and bread figure heavily in Hessische Küche, or […]
German Cuisine: Lower Saxony - Lower Saxony is well-known for its gourmet food and culinary delicacies. The culinary range of Niedersachsen’s regions offers something to please every palate – from traditional rustic dishes like roast mutton from the heath region, hearty cheese from the Harz mountains or kale with Pinkel sausage to delicious fresh asparagus or a vast variety of […]
German Cuisine: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - Traditional dishes from Germany’s Northeast have a distinct character which they owe to the state’s landscape and its natural resources. The regional cuisine offers an astounding variety of fish and seafood dishes as well as hearty and nutritious cooking using local crops which grow plentifully in the fertile soil. The names of certain dishes in […]
German Cuisine: North Rhine-Westphalia - The most well-known foods from North Rhine-Westphalia include Sauerbraten, waffles, potato pancakes, Halver Hahn, Himmel und Erde, and Spekulatus. Likewise, Alt, Pils, and Kölsch beers are enjoyed here, as well as a large selection of local wines. Hearty vegetable soups and stews are very common in the Rhineland region. Seafood is also a favorite, with […]
German Cuisine: Rhineland-Palatinate - The state of Rhineland-Palatinate is known for growing wine, two-thirds of the wine produced in Germany come from this region: Ahr, Mittelrhein, Rheinhessen, Rheinpfalz, Rheingau and Mosel-Saar-Ruwer. Hearty vegetable soups and stews are very common in the Rhineland region. German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe) is one of those comfort foods, easy to make, healthy, and a […]
German Cuisine: Saarland - Cooking in Saarland can be described as rich yet simple. This stems historically from the labor-intensive work done by the residents (such as mining and farming). They needed the energie-rich foods to sustain their health. At the same time, the food had to be cost-effective as well as easily accessible. From this need came many […]
German Cuisine: Saxony - Cooking in the German state of Saxony (Sachsen) is a melting pot of the cooking traditions of the numerous regions that make up the state: Ore Mountain region (Erzgebirge), Lusatia (Lausitz), Saxon Switzerland (Sächsische Schweiz), Elbauen, Vogtland, etc. Meals are hearty with a variety of sauces, creative, trendy, and diverse. The cooking here is also […]
German Cuisine: Saxony-Anhalt - Cooking in Saxony-Anhalt is flavorful and seasonal. The cuisine benefits from a large variety of ingredients grown locally. The favorite vegetables used in the Saxony-Anhalt cuisine are potatoes, onions, carrots, peas, beans, asparagus, cauliflower, and other types of cabbage. The favorite meat is pork, which is also used in making different kinds of wurst. Game […]
German Cuisine: Schleswig-Holstein - Schleswig-Holstein is the northern-most federal state and also the only one bordered by both the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. Consequently, ship-building and fishing had always been the state’s two most vital industries. Historically, agriculture and fisheries have always been the sole basis for survival, which is reflected in the regional cuisine. The produce […]
German Cuisine: Thuringia - Thuringia is often referred to as the green heart of Germany, a title which the state owes in part to the famed Thuringian Forest, a destination popular with hikers and winter sports enthusiasts. One of the most well-known hiking routes in Europe, the so-called Rennsteig, runs along the crest of the mountain range for a […]