SIDEBAR
»
S
I
D
E
B
A
R
"
Slow German # 044: Eating

Leah from California asked me to write about the food. Because I get so hungry now! It also says: There goes my mouth water. So, here we go!

What we eat here in Germany? Potatoes and sauerkraut? These are the prejudices that we have in the world. The reality is different. The Germans love good food, and they love international food. A hot curry or sweet and sour Chinese food, a sweet Italian dessert afterwards - that's wonderful!

Food is fashion. Therefore, there are trends that change. When I was a kid, we usually went to Greece to eat or Yugoslav. There was then mostly a lot of meat to eat with lots of garlic. Today we prefer to eat Italian or Indian. Not quite as greasy, not so much meat.

A typical meal fashion for those who do not want to be thick, salad with turkey breast. That there really any place on the menu. To an apple juice, the fashionable drink of the Germans.

If you go to eat, you must first reserve a table call often. Especially with all the other popular restaurants tables are occupied. If you found a place, you get a menu and lets you select something. Perhaps initially a starter? Or a small salad for main course? And of course, then another dessert, a dessert. And a cup of coffee, cappuccino or espresso.

If you want, you can as long as you want to remain seated at the table. Unlike in America. They will after eating politely asked to pay the bill and leave. In Germany, it often happens that after the meal is still sitting, drinking a coffee or a bottle of wine ordered, and just long talks.

Eventually, however, is the best restaurant to visit one end and ordered the waiter or the waitress the bill. There are about ten percent gratuity, paid the bill and go home.

Currently, in Germany, however, escaped the cooking temperature. While it was once fashionable to go eat, we eat today in their own homes. On television, there are countless cooking shows, many chefs have become TV stars. What is in England Jamie Oliver is with us Tim maltster. I find this trend amazing. Two years ago, I myself started to boil. But I do not like to cook alone. Most fun it is when two or three friends to cook together. Then it's not so bad if things do not taste - because then, all three chefs to blame!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. The latest version is here ready for download. And for JavaScript to be enabled in your browser.

Episode download
Text Download PDF
Learning material to download this episode (1 €)
Learning material downloaded here (follow 41-50: 8 €)
Learning material downloaded here (follow 08-50, 25 €)

# 016: Drinks

What the Germans really drink? In addition I have done for you thoughts. The day starts for the Germans either with coffee or tea. To eat lunch or dinner, they like to drink mixed drinks. A popular drink is apple juice. This is apple juice mixed with sparkling water. Sparkling mineral water is carbonated. Meanwhile, there are all kinds of fruit juice mixed with sparkling water. Passion fruit juice, pineapple juice, juice, cherry juice spritzer. The advantage of juice has fewer calories, not so sweet, refreshing and easier to digest than pure juice.

Of course, the Germans also like to drink Coke or Sprite. But here they like to mix: A typical drink is specificity. Spezi is made Coke mixed with orange soda. There are specific ready mixed in bottles. Funny, is not it?

If the Germans drink alcohol, then most like wine or beer. Depending on the region that is different. There are also cocktail bars, that's for sure. But if we are talking about mixed drinks, then I remind you of the cyclists. A beer mixed with lemonade. There are many such drinks.

It used to be drunk in Germany mainly black filter coffee. Meanwhile, the Italian influences have prevailed and the coffee shops like Starbucks have come here too. So now you most like to drink espresso, cappuccino or latte macchiato. Latte Macchiato is a large glass of hot milk with milk foam, which is tilted in an espresso. In Italy, the children drink - with us adults.

Have you now get thirsty? Then I say: Cheers!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. The latest version is here ready for download. And for JavaScript to be enabled in your browser.

Episode download
Text downloaded as a PDF
Learning material download (1 €)
Learning material downloaded here (08-20 series)
Learning material downloaded here (follow 08-50, 25 €)

# 008: Off to the beer garden!

Park Cafe Beer Garden I live in Bavaria, more precisely in Munich. And here there is a tradition that you may know - beer gardens. A typical beer garden has orange-colored benches and tables. The floor is covered with small pebbles. Large chestnut trees shade.

But that's not all: A real beer gardens in Bavaria is divided into two sections. In one area it is served by a waiter or a waitress. This part can be seen usually because you can see here on tablecloths on the tables. The other part is the more important: here you can bring your own food! Thus, we see so locals who spread their own tablecloths and conjure up all sorts of delicious food baskets. The beer and other drinks, but must be bought at small stands in the beer garden.

Park Cafe Beer Garden Traditional beer gardens give beer only in pitchers of that are huge for non-Bavarian: A whole liter of beer fits in here, and the glass is called thus not more glass, but mass. Food can also be bought if one has not brought anything. There are usually grilled sausages, half a chicken, fried fish often called mackerel. I find delicious, especially the cold snacks: cheese in a giant pretzel, Radi (radish that is) with saline or the famous Obazda.

Obazda is an orange-colored mass that you can smear on bread or a pretzel. It consists of Camembert cheese, onions, paprika, butter and a little beer.

Incidentally, it is quite normal to sit with others, strangers at the table for a beer garden is a sign of sociability. And another note, so there is no confusion: A beer garden does not mean that men go there to get drunk. A beer garden culture. This is where friends, families take their children here, businessmen meet for lunch to eat here. It's all about comfort, not alcohol.

Large beer gardens have room for 7000-8000 by the way people - and they are chock full of beautiful summer days! So if you come to Munich in the near future - I recommend the traditional Augustiner beer garden near the main train station! And do not worry: There are also non-alcoholic beverages.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. The latest version is here ready for download. And for JavaScript to be enabled in your browser.

Episode download
Text downloaded as a PDF
Learning material download (1 €)
Learning material downloaded here (08-20 series)
Learning material downloaded here (follow 08-50, 25 €)

SIDEBAR
»
S
I
D
E
B
A
R
"
»Substance: WordPress »Style: Ahren Ahimsa
© Annik Rubens