German Culture

All about Germany

Useful German Phrases for Travelers – Basics

Traveling to Germany can be an exhilarating experience, but knowing some key German phrases can make your journey even more enjoyable and seamless. Whether you're exploring bustling cities like Berlin and Munich or quaint villages in the countryside, these phrases will help you communicate effectively and immerse yourself in the local culture. By … [Read more...]

Flädlesuppe – German Pancake Soup

Flädlesuppe, or German pancake soup, is basically a bit like chicken noodle soup except with strips of pancake in the broth. This southern German favorite is perfect as a first course for lunch on cold days. Serve this soup soon after assembling, because the pancakes soak up the broth and, eventually, will fall apart. Ingredients: 1/2 cup … [Read more...]

Alois Alzheimer

Aloysius Alzheimer (June 14, 1864 – December 19, 1915), known as Alois Alzheimer, was a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist and a colleague of Emil Kraepelin. Alzheimer is credited with identifying the first published case of "presenile dementia", which Kraepelin would later identify as Alzheimer's disease. From his youth Alois Alzheimer … [Read more...]

Träubleskuchen – Swabian Red Currant Cake

Hands down the best red currant cake out there - Träubleskuchen! The etymology of its name is very curious.  In Swabian, anything can – and will – be diminuted by adding the suffix -le to the noun. Thus a car – Auto – becomes an Autole, a little car, and a house – Haus – a Häusle, a small house. Red currants look a little bit like small grapes, … [Read more...]

The Island of Reichenau – Monastic Heritage of the Middle Ages

The Island of Reichenau is located in southern Germany. It lies almost due west of the city of Konstanz, between the Gnadensee and the Untersee, two parts of Lake Constance. With a total land surface of 4.3 sq. km and a circumference of 11 km, the island is 4.5 km long and 1.5 km wide at its greatest extent. The highest point, the Hochwart, stands … [Read more...]

Rotkohl – German Red Cabbage

German red cabbage recipes, also known as Rotkohl, Rotkraut, and Blaukraut, are among those best vegetable recipes that Germans love! They go so well with dishes like rouladen and meat loaf. It's a traditional German side dish that goes so well with almost anything. Ingredients: 2 - 3 tbsp butter, oil, or bacon fat 1 onion, diced 1 head red … [Read more...]

The History of the German Language

German is one of the largest groups of Indo-Germanic languages. It is used as the official language of Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein, and is a co-official language in Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union.. The history of the language begins in the Early Middle Ages with the High German consonant shift. During the migration … [Read more...]

Apfelkuchen – German Apple Cake

Moist, buttery, and bursting with tender apples—Apfelkuchen, or German Apple Cake, is a beloved classic that appears in countless variations across Germany. It’s a comforting dessert that blends simplicity with tradition, making it a staple at family gatherings and Sunday coffee tables. Whether baked in a springform pan or a rustic tray, … [Read more...]

Heinrich Hertz – German Scientist and Physicist

Heinrich Hertz (born on February 22, 1857 in Hamburg – died on January 1, 1894 in Bonn) was a German scientist and physicist who became the first scientist to prove that electromagnetic waves did indeed have an existence and in so doing he proved what had only been a theory first put forwards by the Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell. His … [Read more...]

German Potato Salad

Another recipe of the famous potato salad - because you can't get enough of it! This one's hot - literally! Ingredients: 1.5 kg medium-size red potatoes, quartered Kosher salt 400 g bacon, cut into 1 cm pieces 1 large yellow onion, minced 1 cup white vinegar 3 tablespoons coarse or grainy mustard 2 tablespoons sugar ½ cup parsley, chopped Freshly … [Read more...]