More on the recipes, ingredients and cuisine of German food!

Germany has always been known for warmth and hospitality. This reflects in the culinary skills as well. German food is simple, warm and generous. Turkish cuisine has made an impact on the German cuisine. German food has also influenced the cuisines of many nations world wide. American food is highly dominated by German flavors. German recipes extensively use wild fruits and berries. Milk products form the basis for German food. Climatic conditions favor extensive production of meat and other dairy products. German food has a major English, French and Italian influence as well. Changes in lifestyle have introduced major changes in German culinary tradition. Contemporary German breakfast comprises of cereals only. Lunch is generally made of salads whereas German dinner is the main meal of the day. People generally eat out and cafes are available all over the place. Many people have this perception that German food is only about beer and sausages. Germans have an impressive culinary art. Their food is made with effort and precision. The end product is always delicious and healthy.

German recipes are mostly baked. In fact, German black forest cakes make the best example for traditional German baked food. Other popular German baked recipes include nut rolls, pretzels, sesame cake, brown talers, choco cake, German gingerbread and butter cakes. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are always welcomed in German recipes. Summer time calls for the wide ranging use of peaches, plums, ripe cherries, apples and pears. This is the time for the preparation of the traditional German fruit cake in every German home. In summers you would also find sumptuous cherry deserts. Celebration and festivities invite many traditional German recipes like hazelnut cookies, saffron buns, Lebkuchen, Frankfurt green sauce, egg grape salad, egg fruit salad, mulled wine, wine pastries and hausfreunde.

Pork and bread are the way of life in Germany. Pork is the most consumed form of meat. German recipes are rich in meat. Modern Germany has a variety of more than 1500 different sausage types made of pork and beef, flavored with dried onion, coriander and garlic. Spices like dill, parsley and juniper are comprehensively used in all kinds of German recipes. Konditionarei is the place for some excellent traditional German recipes. German recipes are also rich in spices like sage, oregano, mustard, cardamom, chilly pepper and basil. Herbs like black pepper, parsley and thyme are widely used in German meals. Even desserts have a shade of natural herbs and spices. Garlic which is an essential element in many other European cuisines is never used in German cuisines. You will notice bread of all kinds in Germany. Whole wheat breads to multi grain breads, German food is extremely popular for breads, cakes and fruit salads.