Late summer Christmas treats

It’s so hot the roads are melting and everybody has gathered at the open-air swimming pool, but Christmas has arrived at German supermarkets. What may be normal in more southerly places does seem rather odd in Germany: as soon as September begins, lebkuchen, spiced biscuits and Christmas stollen can be found alongside barbecue coal, fans and sun lotion. There are even chocolate Santas, waving cheerfully, not knowing what would happen to them outside in the heat. Cinnamon stars, on the other hand, are a lot sturdier, withstanding any weather until they are ready to pass on the baton to Easter bunnies hopping onto the supermarket shelves. Germany has only three seasons: Christmas, Easter and, in between these two, the barbecue season.  

Germans generally tend to have a very high pain tolerance when it comes to culinary matters. How about an ice cream cone in winter when temperatures have dropped below zero? Or a fish sandwich eaten by the North Sea while a storm is hitting you with horizontal rain? What about a Weisswurst sausage and a glass of wheat beer for breakfast? In Bavaria this is considered tradition rather than a sign of having lost control of your life. Currywurst? Any time, any place.  

Bread fetish and mysterious bowls 

Many international visitors are puzzled by the German evening meal. Rather than cooking and stewing things to prepare an elaborate dinner, Germans simply chuck bread, cold cuts, cheese and cucumber slices on the table, before they happily announce that Abendbrot is ready! 

What may sound like a very modest meal plays a huge role in Germany. Rye, spelt, wholegrain, sourdough, seeds and crust: German bread is a philosophical belief system. As well it should be, since it is famous around the world. Be prepared to get some confused looks if you ask for plain white bread! 

The picture isn’t complete without the unofficial federal bowl: the Aspen glass bowl with its leaf design. Contrary to popular belief, it is not inspired by lettuce but by aspen leaves, and to make matters even worse, it was designed by a Frenchman. And yet, it can be found in virtually every German kitchen, typically holding potato or pasta salad. It is in fact considered an inofficial citizenship test. You’d like a German passport? Well, you’d better show us your bowl first!