Discover the German bread culture - Germany Travel (2024)

FAQs

Why is bread so important to the German culture? ›

The appreciation of bread occupies an outstanding status in family and domestic environments and in the social exchange. The common consumption of bread often lends its name to convivial get-togethers such as the evening meal (German “Abendbrot”, literally “evening bread”).

Schwarzwälder, also known as Black Forest Bread, is a type of bread that originated in the Black Forest region of Germany. The bread is typically made from a mixture of rye and wheat flours, as well as other ingredients such as sourdough, salt, and sometimes molasses or honey.

Bread in Germany, on the other hand, contains less additives and preservatives due to age-old baking traditions, strict food laws and rigorous quality standards for bakers. The USA has liberal laws for the application of pesticides.

56 kilograms of bread per household per year

The Germans love to eat bread - be it for breakfast or a classic “Abendbrot” (literally “evening bread”) supper. According to the Central Association of the German Bakery Trade, each household consumes on average around 56 kilograms of bread and bakery products per year.

Bernd das Brot (English: Bernd the bread) is a puppet character, star mascot, and pop cultural icon of the German children's television channel KiKA, currently featured in the programs Bernd das Brot, Bravo Bernd, and the KiKA late night loop programme.

Bread is a universal food: today there is no country in the world in whose culinary tradition there is not some form of bread. From Mesopotamia to the tables of the whole world, bread has been the symbol of culture, history and anthropology, of hunger and wealth, of war and peace.

"Brötchen" ("Brot" is German for bread, the -"chen" is a diminutive suffix) are a staple all over the German-speaking world, but the word used to order the crusty rolls at the bakery counter vary greatly.

Harry is the best-known bread brand in Germany. With these breads, you always have the guarantee of quality and freshness. Because Harry is one of the most modern large bakeries in Germany.

The German bread and butter for breakfast is... well, bread and butter! Lightly toasted or freshly sliced, you add a generous spread of butter or margarine and then pick your topping. As a topping, Germans like it sweet, like jams, marmelade, Nutella or honey.

The highly processed flour and additives in white, packaged bread can make it unhealthful. Consuming too much white bread can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

What is the best bread to eat in the world? ›

Sauerbraten (pronounced [ˈzaʊ̯ɐˌbʁaːtn̩]) is a traditional German roast of heavily marinated meat. It is regarded as a national dish of Germany, and is frequently served in German-style restaurants internationally.

Sausage, eggs, cheese, and bacon are common breakfast items too, as are potato pancakes. Cereal, especially muesli, or yogurt and fruit are increasingly popular in Germany, especially with the more health-conscious youth. A glass of orange juice is also common with breakfast.

Dinner/Supper (das Abendessen/Abendbrot)

Abendbrot (“evening bread”) is the typical German supper. It is a light meal eaten usually between 18:00 and 19:00 and – like breakfast – consists of full grain bread and rolls, fine cheese, meats and sausages, accompanied by mustard and pickles.

Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World) takes steps to make sure that there is enough food for everyone.

Bread is a staple in Europe since times immemorial. We have the climates needed for most of the various grains one can make bread from, which enables us to make an endless number of varieties in both taste and texture.

Among Germany's most popular breads are spelt (Dinkelbrot), rye (Roggenbrot), rye-wheat (Roggenmischbrot), wheat-rye (Weizenmischbrot), wheat (Weißbrot), toast (Toastbrot), whole-grain (Vollkornbrot), wheat-rye-oats with sesame or linseed (Mehrkornbrot), sunflower seeds in dark rye bread (Sonnenblumenkernbrot), pumpkin ...