Is food a useful way of viewing a different culture? Is Wurst an indicator of how Germany thinks? Maybe, but what happens when you mess with traditional recipes and what do reactions to simple culinary changes tell us about a country?
All in Food
The Small Differences
After so long living in Germany, the differences seem totally normal. However, I can still find examples of things you only find in Germany all around the house. Why are German coffee filters different and why are windows a serious topic of conversation?
No Bread, No Tea, No Hope
If Britain and Germany have one thing in common, it’s their obsessions over food and drink. For Germany it’s bread, while for Britain it’s tea, and they’re both certain that the other will never get it right. Is Germany really so bad at making a cuppa, and what makes British bread so ripe for ridicule?
The Perpetual Tourist
Food in Germany often gets a bad rap, with some bemoaning a lack of options, or the narrow range of ingredients. I’ve always thought this was slightly unfair, especially since Schnitzel is almost always on the menu. Is Schnitzel always the best option, and why might English speakers run the risk of being labelled a tourist?
The Cult of the Spargel Eaters
Tis the season to eat Spargel in all its many and varied forms and you better believe Germany takes Spargelzeit very seriously. This makes things difficult for the tiny minority of us who actually don’t like it, but is it worth incurring the wrath of the Spargel lovers?
When Bread isn’t Bread
What’s the difference between toast and bread? In Germany it’s clear: one is bread, the other isn’t. Are the Germans right to malign toast and what has that got to do with US food culture?
Inconvenience Culture
Shopping in Germany is rarely described as convenient. Supermarkets are hard to navigate, payment methods aren’t uniform and customer service is disinterested. Is Germany a land of inconvenience culture and could that actually be a good thing?
You're Invited...Or Are You?
Making friends in Germany can often take longer than in English-speaking countries. How does the German concept of public & private life complicate matters and why might a quirk of British politeness lead to ruining a burgeoning relationship?
Mint Sauce and the Germans
Despite a growing awareness, British food doesn’t have a good reputation in Germany. Why is British food so maligned and what does mint sauce tell us about both the British and the Germans?
The Small Differences
After so long living in Germany, the differences seem totally normal. However, I can still find examples of things you only find in Germany all around the house. Why are German coffee filters different and why are windows a serious topic of conversation?
Bake Off!
When is a German cake not a German cake? When it’s on British TV. A recent Germany themed episode of Britain’s favourite bake’em up The Great British Bake Off caused consternation for some as it seemed to not involve any recognisable German cakes. Why did the British show ignore the wide variety of German cakes and is Germany’s DAS GROSSE BACKE any better?
Ain't No Party Like a German Grillparty
Summer has arrived and what better way to celebrate than getting some friends together for a good old German Grillparty! Barbecue culture is serious business in Germany but what should a visitor here expect should they ever be lucky enough to get an invite?
And a Cherry on Top
What do you get if you cross Albrecht Dürer’s Rhinocerus, a slice of pineapple and a less than talented TV chef? You might be surprised to discover that it’s one of Germany’s more bizarre food creations, Toast Hawaii. How did such a whimsical creation become so popular in Germany and why is its creator still disputed?
German Hangover cures – Fighting the Cat
“Der Kater” or “the cat” is how Germans lovingly refer to a hangover. Germany has many suggestions for how to rid yourself of the feline presence from a traditional breakfast to a certain type of fish, but is the best answer simply good old pragmatism?
The Cult of the Spargel Eaters
Tis the season to eat Spargel in all its many and varied forms and you better believe Germany takes Spargelzeit very seriously. This makes things difficult for the tiny minority of us who actually don’t like it, but is it worth incurring the wrath of the Spargel lovers?
The Eye of the Beer Holder
German beer is rightly lauded for its quality and variety, but often what is considered a “good beer” differs considerably from region to region, city to city. With so many options, how do Germans choose their favourite and why might the popularity of German beer around the world be an example of Germany’s soft power?
Königreich of Kebabs
This week, new contributor Simon Maddox, of the Decades From Home podcast, ponders why it’s common for people in Germany to eat kebabs sober, while in the UK it takes hours of drinking. Are Germans missing out or is sober kebab consumption the new dawn of personal growth?
How Healthy is Germany?
With many sports clubs and a passion for organic food, #Germany is assumed to be a healthy country, at least compared to the UK. However, Germans are facing an ‘obesity epidemic’ now and in the future. What’s changing the healthy German lifestyle?
More than just a Hamburger
The economic influence of the US on Europe is well known, but often the Germans I speak to dismiss the cultural importance of the US. How much impact does US culture have on Germany and why might some choose to ignore it?
Traditional German Medicine
With a highly praised healthcare system and massive pharmaceutical industry, Germany is at the centre of modern healthcare. Yet, traditional medicine is increasingly popular here. Are Germans joining the anti-expert trend or is the reason deep culture?