Among the many delights of traditional German baking, few desserts are as elegant and beloved as the … (More)
Featured Stories
The Mass Media in Germany
Until 1990 Germany was a divided country. The media system of the former GDR was highly centralized and worked under the control of the Communist Party. It disappeared during the process of unification, but patterns of media usage still differ between East and West. Today, the major media production centers are located in the “old” […]
Germany’s Pagan Past: How Ancient Germanic Tribes Lived and Worshipped
Before Germany became the land of castles, beer halls, and high-speed highways, it was a vast wilderness ruled by fierce Germanic tribes who lived in harmony with nature and worshipped powerful gods. Long before Christianity took root, these ancient peoples had their own beliefs, rituals, and way of life—one deeply connected to the forests, rivers, […]
German Fachwerk in Brazil: Architecture of Blumenau
Blumenau may sit in the steamy heart of Brazil’s southern state of Santa Catarina, but its architecture often looks like a page out of a Grimm fairytale. Stroll through its historic core and you’ll find colorful, geometric facades made of wood and stucco, steep gabled roofs, and decorative trims. These are not just charming buildings […]
Schnecken (Sticky German Cinnamon Buns)
Schnecken are a type of sweet bun that was a traditional Saturday morning treat in German homes at the beginning of the 20th century. Schnecken means “snails,” which is what these coiled buns resemble. They are much stickier, puffier, gooier and generally more over the top than ordinary cinnamon buns. Ingredients: Dough ——— 3 1⁄2 […]
Beer-Marinated Chicken
Grilled chicken marinated in German flavors of dark beer, mustard, lemon and herbs. Great German barbecue! Ingredients: 1/2 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon German mustard 1 cup dark German beer 1/4 cup lemon juice 4 cloves garlic minced 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon minced fresh basil 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves […]
German Potato Soup (Kartoffelsuppe)
Ingredients: *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* 1 kg potatoes one large leek 2 carrots 1/4 of a celery root one bunch of your favorite greens (dill, parsley) 6–7 cups of chicken broth 4–5 slices of thick cut bacon bacon bat from the cooked bacon 1/4 cup of cream salt and pepper to taste olive oil German Wieners or a […]
Franz Xaver Winterhalter – German Painter Who Beautified the Royalty
Franz Xaver Winterhalter (20 April 1805 – 8 July 1873) was a German artist best known for his airy, idealized portraits of European royalty that were influenced by the Rococo and Neoclassical painting. Born in a small village in Germany’s Black Forest, Franz Xaver Winterhalter left his home to study painting at the academy in Munich. […]
August 3 in German History
August 3, 1872 Death of Karl August Devrient in Hannover, Germany. Devrient was a heroic actor who achieved fame on the stage of Hannover. Some of his noted roles include Faust, King Lear and Wallenstein. August 3, 1902 Birth of Martin Noth in Dresden, Germany. A biblical scholar, Noth was an expert in the early […]
Eintopf – Sauerkraut Stew with Sausages
Ingredients: 500 g potatoes 2 onions 40 g butter 1 can Sauerkraut 3/4 l broth (instant) 1 bay leave 8 Thuringia Rostbratwuerstchen or normal Bratwurst or Knackwurst 100 ml heavy cream 1 tbsp mustard salt, pepper, caraway seeds 1-2 tsp sugar 1 bunch chives Cooking: Peel the potatoes, cut them into cubes. Peel and cut […]
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April 10 in German History
April 10, 1727 Birth of Samuel Heinicke (1727-1790) in Nautschütz, Germany. Heinicke became interested in the problems of the deaf after reading Surdus loquens, a book in which it was described … [Read More...]
How to Celebrate Easter Like a German
Easter in Germany is more than a religious holiday—it is a vibrant mix of ancient traditions, springtime celebrations, and festive gatherings. While other countries focus mainly on the Easter Bunny … [Read More...]
How to Play Rommé: Germany’s Version of Rummy
Rommé is Germany’s beloved twist on the classic game of Rummy, blending strategy, luck, and sharp timing. Popular among families, card enthusiasts, and casual players alike, Rommé offers quick … [Read More...]
Germany’s Quietest Holiday: What’s So Special About Allerheiligen?
As the autumn leaves turn to shades of amber and gold, and a gentle chill settles over the landscape, Germany pauses for one of its most understated yet profoundly moving holidays: Allerheiligen. … [Read More...]
December 16 in German History
December 16, 1742 Birth of General Gebhard Blücher (1742-1819) in Rostock, Germany. Wellington was not alone at Waterloo at the defeat of Napoleon. General Blücher commanded the allied Prussian … [Read More...]
Prehistoric and Ancient Germanic Tribes
Long before the name “Germany” existed, the lands of Central Europe were inhabited by a diverse network of tribes known as the Germanic peoples. These groups—including the Saxons, Goths, Vandals, … [Read More...]
June 27 in German History
June 27, 1786 Death of Joseph Green, Immanuel Kant's closest friend over many years. The two of them dined together very frequently and had long conversations. Some of the vocabulary of … [Read More...]
How the German Pension System Works (And Who Really Benefits)
Germany’s pension system is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive and structured in the world, yet to outsiders, it can seem intimidating and opaque. For millions of Germans, however, it … [Read More...]
Boiled Potatoes with Quark – Pellkartoffeln mit Quark
Fresh boild potatoes combined with the creamy quark make for a wonderful snack or side dish. Perfect springtime dish for vegetarians and those who mind their waistline! Ingredients: 1 kg of new … [Read More...]
The “Socialist State of the German Nation”
The building of the Wall effectively halted large-scale emigration from the GDR. Although the SED failed to gain the active support of the majority of the population, young people, especially, began … [Read More...]