A friend of mine moved to Munich for a new job, walked into a small café on her first weekend, … (More)
Featured Stories
Weißbrot (White Bread) Recipe
Soft, fluffy, and beautifully golden, Weißbrot – or German White Bread – is a classic loaf that brings a light texture and mild flavor to the table. It’s perfect for everything from sandwiches to breakfast spreads and even makes an excellent base for French toast or bread pudding. Often shaped into loaves or braided rolls, […]
Vanillekipferl – Traditional German Vanilla Crescent Cookies Recipe
Vanillekipferl are delicate, crescent-shaped vanilla cookies, known for their buttery texture and almond flavor. Though commonly associated with Christmas, these cookies are also enjoyed during Easter and other festive occasions in Germany and Austria. Made with ground almonds and butter, Vanillekipferl are light, crumbly, and dusted with vanilla sugar while still warm. They pair perfectly […]
Extraparty Political Forces in Germany
German society is highly organized into associations that represent the occupational, socioeconomic, religious, and recreational interests of individuals–a tradition that dates back to the corporate guild system of the Middle Ages. Most Germans belong to at least one voluntary association, and many belong to several. The vast majority of these organizations (such as sports clubs) […]
14 Fun Facts You Didn’t Know About Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest has gathered international recognition and status and is celebrated in areas outside Germany too. Nevertheless we’re listing the fun facts for you. Here are some interesting facts and traditions surrounding the world’s most famous beer festival. 1. It’s not a beer festival Contrary to popular belief, Oktoberfest – or “Wiesn”, to the locals – is […]
German Population
The German population has reached a new record. In 2018, the population grew by 227,000 people, or 0.3 percent, as the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) announced in Wiesbaden. This is the first time in history that over 83 million people live in Germany. The exact figure at the end of the year was given by the Federal Office […]
The Legislature in German Politics
The heart of any parliamentary system of government is the legislature. Germany has a bicameral parliament. The two chambers are the Bundestag (Federal Diet or lower house) and the Bundesrat (Federal Council or upper house). Both chambers can initiate legislation, and most bills must be approved by both chambers, as well as the executive branch, […]
June 28 in German History
June 28, 1490 Birth of Albrecht von Brandenburg, Cardinal, Elector of the Holy Roman Empire and Archbishop of Mainz, against whom Luther struggled on the matter of the sale of indulgences. June 28, 1807 Birth of publisher Philipp Reclam in Leipzig, Germany. June 28, 1825 Heinrich Heine is baptized in the Protestant church. June 28, […]
Karl Drais, the Bicycle and Typewriter Inventor
Karl Freiherr von Drais (born on 29 April 1785 in Karlsruhe – died on 10 December 1851 in Karlsruhe as well) was a German forest official and significant inventor in the Biedermeier period. Drais was a prolific inventor, who invented the Laufmaschine (“running machine”), also later called the Velocipede, Draisine (English) or draisienne (French), also […]
March 15 in German History
March 15, 1614 Birth of Franciscus Sylvius (1614-1672) in Hanau, Germany. Sylvius was a physician who concluded that the basis of life and disease is chemical and that chemical compounds can be used to treat disease. In 1658 he began a teaching career at the University of Leiden. It was there that he constructed the […]
Read More
Classic Swabian Bread Recipe: A Slice of German Culinary Heritage
Bread holds a special place in German cuisine, and when it comes to the southwestern region of Swabia, their bread-making traditions are truly exceptional. Swabian bread is known for its hearty … [Read More...]
German Army – Heer
In early 1995, the German army (Deutsches Heer), headquartered in Koblenz, had a personnel strength of appropriately 255,000, including 123,000 conscripts. German army was composed of two principal … [Read More...]
May 18 in German History
May 18, 1616 Birth of Johann Jakob Froberger in Stuttgart, Germany. Froberger was an outstanding composer of the early Baroque period. He composed at the court of Vienna from 1641-1645 and from … [Read More...]
Beer Bratwurst Braised with Onions and Apples
Few dishes capture the essence of rustic German comfort food quite like Beer Bratwurst Braised with Onions and Apples. With its savory bratwurst, sweet apples, and malty beer broth, this dish delivers … [Read More...]
Nazi Gold
To finance such a war as World War II, Germany had to be an enormously rich country, ... but it wasn't. The level of the Reichsbank's gold reserves was extremely low by the beginning of the war. … [Read More...]
Christ Child – Christkind
In some parts of Germany, mainly the south east of the country, children write to the Christkind/Christkindl asking for presents. The letters to the Christkind are decorated with sugar glued to the … [Read More...]
Punctuality in Germany: More Than Just Being on Time
If you’ve ever arranged a meeting with a German and arrived fashionably late, you probably sensed it: that subtle disappointment, the glance at the clock, the mental note that you were, in fact, late. … [Read More...]
Dinkelbrot – Traditional German Spelt Bread Recipe
Nutty, wholesome, and wonderfully aromatic, Dinkelbrot - German Spelt Bread - is a traditional favorite making a big comeback in modern kitchens. Made from spelt flour, an ancient grain prized for its … [Read More...]
October 9 in German History
October 9, 1047 Death of Suidiger (Pope Clement II), the second German pope. Suidiger had been the bishop of Bamberg. He was installed as pope by the German king, Heinrich III on December 25, 1046. … [Read More...]
Abendbrot – The German Evening Bread Tradition
In Germany, dinner isn’t always a hot, heavy affair. Enter Abendbrot - literally “evening bread” - a cherished tradition that brings families together around a table of hearty bread, sliced meats, … [Read More...]