Exploring German Cuisine
Introduction to Germany and It’s
Cuisine
What do you know?
• What do you know
about Germany?
• Travel?
• Classes?
• Food?
German Geography
• Germany is bordered
by:
– Two bodies of water
– Nine different countries
Image retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications//the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html
German Topography
•
•
•
•
Mountains!
Rivers!
Lush Valleys!
Northern Climate!
– As far north as Canada
• Coastline!
Image retrieved from: http://www.amslshop.com/topografische-Karten/digital/Deutschland.php
What about the United States?
• What are some
geographic and
topographic
features of the
United States?
• How do these
features
influence
American
cuisine?
Image retrieved from: http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/us.htm
What about you?
• Where are you from?
• Can you give some
examples of how where
you grew up impacts
what you eat?
What about Germany’s location and
features might influence its cuisine?
• Bodies of water
– Seas
– Rivers
• Neighboring countries
(all 9 of them!)
• Topography
– Mountains vs river
valleys
Image retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications//the-world-factbook/geos/gm.html
Regional Cuisine
• Northern Regions
– Bordered by two Seas
– Rivers
– Lush valleys
• Northern specialties
– Fish
• Eel Soup (Aalsuppe)
– Berries
• Summer Berry Pudding (Rote
Grutze)
– Cabbage
• Sauerkraut
– Marzipan
• Almond Paste used in desserts
with spices
– Trade Routes
– Potatoes
• Potato pancakes with Bacon
and Pear Sauce! (Himmel und
Erde – Erdapfel)
Image retrieved from: http://www.amslshop.com/topografische-Karten/digital/Deutschland.php
Regional Cuisine
• Eastern Regions
– Prior Soviet Block
– Cosmopolitan Berlin
– Lush River Valleys
• Grain cultivation
• Vegetable cultivation
• Eastern Specialties
– Currywurst
– Kaffee und Kuchen!!
• Dresdener Stollen
– Pickled vegetables
• Gherkins
– Breads
• Burger Knaeckebrot
(Multigrain flatbread)
– Havelberger Bierfleisch
• Stew made with fish,
potatoes, bacon, dark beer
and gingerbread
Image retrieved from: http://www.amslshop.com/topografische-Karten/digital/Deutschland.php
Regional Cuisine
• Southern Regions
– Mountains
• Hunting
– Cold Climate
– Pig Farming
• Southern Specialties
– Noodles
• Spaetzle
• Maultaschen
– Dumplings
• Knoedel or Kloesse
– Gingerbread
• Lebkuchen
– Pretzels (Brezeln)
– Schnitzel
• Pork or veal cutlets
– Ham (Black Forest Ham)
Image retrieved from: http://www.amslshop.com/topografischeKarten/digital/Deutschland.php
Regional Cuisine
• Western Regions
– Shares borders
with
•
•
•
•
France
Belgium
Luxembourg
Netherlands
– Lush river valleys
• Grain cultivation
• Potato
cultivation
Image retrieved from:
http://www.amslshop.com/topografischeKarten/digital/Deutschland.php
• Western Specialties
– Potatoes
• Kartoffelknoedel
– Beef stews (Sauerbraten)
– Bread
• Pumpernickel
– Mustards (Senf)
– Sauces
• Gruene Sosse
Bring it on home!
• Why do different food habits develop in different parts of
the same country?
– Ability to produce certain foods in certain areas
– Neighboring countries
– Topography
• How is German cuisine similar to and different from
American cuisine?
– Regional specialties are impacted by geography and topography
– Same ingredients may exist throughout a country, but are
treated or prepared differently in different regions
– Different influences
• Mexico vs France
• Immigration
DANKE SCHÖN!
References
Central Intelligence Agency. (2012). The world factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications//the-worldfactbook/geos/gm.html
GermanFoods.org. (n.d.). Germany’s states and regional food specialties. Retrieved from
http://www.germanfoods.org/consumer/facts/foodregions.cfm