Category Archives: Food and drink

The New St. Vith

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

I’ve always loved the high rounded hills and wide valleys near Spangdahlem Air Base. They’re colorful even in the middle of winter. This is the Eifel, a land of strong winds, big sky, and beautiful scenery. Thousands of years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in Belgium, Food and drink, German history, Tourist destinations | Leave a comment

Consuming Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

Maybe because it comes along during the longest nights of the year, or maybe just because Germans seem to love a good celebration, Christmas is a very big deal in Germany. From what I’ve gathered in my time here, this … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals, Food and drink, Holidays, Seasons | Leave a comment

‘Tis the Season

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

Ask someone to give you a one-word description of a German Christmas market, and that word will probably be “Glühwein.” You’ll find this hot spiced wine drink, pronounced “glue-vine,” wherever people are outdoors in the cold. At French markets, look … Continue reading →

Posted in Festivals, Food and drink, Holidays, Tourist destinations | 2 Comments

Last night, as I was wandering through my local German grocery store, looking for interesting products to try, I came across Thunfisch Brotaufstrich. What is that? Let’s break it down. Der Thunfisch is pretty self-explanatory: it’s tuna. Das Brot is … Continue reading →

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle | Leave a comment

An Easy German Cake

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

So you’re new to Germany, but you want to bake a real German cake. Or maybe you’ve wandered into the baking aisle at Globus, and you can’t figure out what half the ingredients are for. Here’s an easy coffee cake … Continue reading →

Posted in Daily life, Food and drink | 4 Comments

The Kinder Egg

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

The Kinder Egg is a uniquely European treat. Made by the Italian company Ferrero since 1972, they’re a huge seller in Germany to kids and collectors alike. Collectors have been known to shake, weigh, and listen to their eggs before … Continue reading →

Posted in Daily life, Food and drink | 2 Comments

11-11-11 (at 11:11 o’clock)

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

St. Martin’s Day (Martintag), November 11, kicks off the beginning of German carnival season, called Fasching, Fastnacht, Fastelabend, or Karneval, depending on where you live. But as soon as it’s begun, Fasching vanishes, only to reappear after Christmas. Why the … Continue reading →

Posted in Churches and religion, Festivals, Folk traditions, Food and drink, German history, Holidays | Leave a comment

That’s Typical

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

When we hear of a food typically associated with a country, we often ask ourselves, “Yes, but do the locals eat that? Or do they just sell it to us?” Haggis and lutefisk come to mind immediately, but I remember … Continue reading →

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Tim-berrrr!

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

On a foggy evening this week, Joe and I visited Bernkastel-Kues on the Mosel River, and I took the above photo of the St. Michaelsbrunnen, or St. Michael’s Fountain, in the middle of the old town square. How old is … Continue reading →

Posted in Food and drink, German history, German house decoration, Tourist destinations | Leave a comment

As American as…

Posted on October 6, 2011 by Clare B. Dunkle

The other day, I caught a few minutes of a Bavarian cooking show. Six Landfrauen were sitting down to a dinner prepared by a seventh Landfrau. Beautiful table. Elaborate menu. Strong, confident women who looked good in dirndls and who … Continue reading →

Posted in Daily life, Food and drink | 2 Comments