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?

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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?
Despite Germany being the origin of many British Christmas traditions, I avoided spending Christmas in Germany for almost a decade. What made Weihnachten so odd, and what made me change my mind?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Making decisions can be difficult, especially if we have too many choices. Germany might have the answer to decision fatigue, at least for consumer products, in the form of the consumer guide Stiftung Warentest. Can one company be trusted to give objective product recommendations or are the Germans incredibly naive?
“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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
It may seem like weddings in Germany are the same as the UK & the US but there are many small differences worth knowing should you be invited to one. Why are German weddings like a marathon and why should you bring some plates just in case?
It's easy to get confused in Germany, but it’s often just as easy to cause the confusion. Why might saying thanks to the bis driver seem odd and how did ordering chips in a restaurant lead to a minor international incident?
It’s Spargelzeit in Germany, which seems to be a reason to celebrate. With Spargel. So much goddamn spargel.