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Featured Stories
Bertha Benz – the Automotive Pioneer
Bertha Benz (May 3, 1849 – May 5, 1944) was a German automotive pioneer. She was the business partner and wife of automobile inventor Karl Benz. In 1888, she was the first person to drive an automobile over a long distance. In doing so, she brought the Benz Patent-Motorwagen worldwide attention and got the company […]
Traditional German Food: A Culinary Tour Through the Regions
Traditional German food is far more than sausages and sauerkraut. It is a mosaic of regional flavors, seasonal ingredients, and deeply rooted cultural practices. Each dish tells a story – of harvests and holidays, of resilience and hospitality, and of a nation that eats with intention. Whether you’re savoring pork knuckle in Munich, smoked fish […]
January 22 in German History
January 22, 1729 Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729-1781) born in Kamenz, Germany. Lessing was the dominant literary figure of the early 18th century in Germany. He was a dramatist, aesthetic philosopher and critic. Significant works by Lessing include Laokoon: oder uber die Grenzen der Malerei und Poesie (1766), Minna von Barnhelm (1767), Elilia Galotti (1772) and […]
St. Lucia’s Day
St. Lucia’s Day, otherwise called The Festival of Lights, is celebrated on December 13, a week after St. Nikolaus’ Day. Lucia became the “Nikolaus of the women”. In the early times, St. Nikolaus brought the gifts to the boys only, and St. Lucia visited girls with the gifts a week later. In some areas Lucia […]
Coffee Filter Invention: Melitta Bentz’s Revolution
Coffee, a beverage cherished by millions around the world, owes much of its popularity and convenience to a simple yet ingenious invention: the coffee filter. In this article, we delve into the history, evolution, and impact of the coffee filter, a pivotal innovation in the world of coffee brewing. The Birth of the Coffee Filter: […]
Hefezopf Recipe – Traditional German Sweet Braided Bread
Few things smell as inviting as a freshly baked Hefezopf, the traditional German sweet yeast braid. This light, slightly sweet bread has a delicate, fluffy crumb and a golden-brown crust, making it a favorite for breakfast, brunch, or holiday gatherings. Hefezopf is often compared to Osterzopf, but unlike the Easter-specific version, Hefezopf is enjoyed year-round […]
Toppler Castle
In Germany, castles come in many shapes and sizes. Built in 1388 partly as a residence and partly as a fortress, this was the home of Rothenburg’s legendary mayor, Heinrich Toppler. Fully intact, the building is furnished with items from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Located in the Tauber Valley and accessed via […]
Weisswurst – Bavarian White Sausage Recipe
Of all the sausages in Germany’s diverse culinary landscape, Weisswurst may be the most iconic to Bavaria. With its pale white color, delicate seasoning, and ritualized morning consumption, Weisswurst is more than just a food – it’s a cultural experience. Traditionally enjoyed before noon with sweet mustard, soft pretzels, and a wheat beer, Weisswurst embodies […]
Mahlzeit!- German Food
Thinking of German food and cuisine as of a mix of Bier+Wurst+Kraut+Knoedel would be an unforgivable simplification of this very fine cultural tradition. What would you say to Forellenmousse, Preiselbeertorte, Bayerischer Wurstsalat, or even Tiramisu! Germans appreciate healthy, well-prepared foods served with care. Everyone who loves to have a good substantial meal will be impressed […]
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April 5 in German History
April 5, 1643 Birth of Karl IV Leopold in Vienna, Austria. Karl was the Austrian Field Marshal who commanded the Austrian, Polish and German troops who successfully defended Vienna against the … [Read More...]
November 26 in German History
November 26, 1885 Birth of Heinrich Brüning in Münster, Germany. Brüning, a member of the Catholic Center Party, became chancellor of the Weimar Republic in 1930. Although he was considered an … [Read More...]
German Women and 3 K’s
German women in the past and Kaiser's neat definition of the women's role in a society Back in the 19th century, Kaiser Wilhelm II defined a role for women (later taken over by the Nazis) as "Kirche, … [Read More...]
February 27 in German History
February 27, 272 Birth of Constantine. Constantine the Great was the emperor of the Roman Empire. He had started his political career as one of the four Roman Emperors at the time of the division … [Read More...]
German Chocolate Cake – 2
German chocolate cake, originally German's chocolate cake, is a layered chocolate cake from the United States, filled and topped with a coconut-pecan frosting. It owes its name to an English-American … [Read More...]
Love in Translation: How Germans Express Romance
Love doesn’t always speak the same language - literally or culturally. When it comes to German romance, communication is shaped by values that are often at odds with what foreigners expect. Whether … [Read More...]
Founding of Blumenau: German Roots in Brazil
In the heart of Brazil’s lush southern region, surrounded by dense rainforest and rolling hills, lies a city unlike any other in South America - Blumenau. With its timber-framed houses, Lutheran … [Read More...]
September 20 in German History
September 20, 1863 Death of Jakob Grimm in Berlin, Germany. Along with his brother Wilhelm he is known most for the Grimms' fairy tales, published as Kinder- und Hausmärchen. (1812-1822). But the … [Read More...]
How to Drive in Germany
It's true: there are no speed limits on many sections of German autobahns. But there are plenty of other regulations you should be aware of. While most traffic rules are the same in Germany as they … [Read More...]
Weizenbrötchen – German Rolls
Every German region has them, called "Rundstück" in Hamburg, "Schrippe" in Berlin, "Semmel" in Munich, or simply "Brötchen" (= little bread). The typical Brötchen has a crackly crisp crust and a … [Read More...]