German Cuisine Overview
Germany has no official national dish. Its cuisine varies by region. Some popular dishes often associated with Germany include sausages, Sauerkraut, Schnitzel, and spätzle. Germany is famous for Currywurst, sausages, pretzels and Black Forest Gateau. Pork, beef, and poultry are the main meats consumed in Germany, with pork being most popular. The average German consumes up to 61 kg of meat yearly. Asparagus is a favorite vegetable. Compared to some European countries, Germany has the highest meat consumption per capita. Processed foods are cheaper in America, fruits and vegetables costlier. Obesity rates in Germany stand at 12.9%. The typical daily meals are breakfast, lunch and dinner. The evening meal is Abendessen or Abendbrot – the latter is actually more like a supper, and literally translates to ‘evening bread’. Following a hearty lunch, Germans traditionally enjoy a lighter dinner, with breads, hams, sausages, cheeses, and pickles. German cuisine includes traditional Bavarian dishes to culinary trends in French speaking regions.
Popular German Foods
So what are some popular German foods? Here are the top ten:
- Bread, which is eaten with most dishes.
- Bratwurst, which is a type of sausage often grilled and served with condiments.
- Schnitzel, which is a breaded meat fried and served with sides like potatoes or spaetzle.
- Sauerkraut, which is fermented cabbage often paired with pork or sausage. Many traditional recipes and delicacies remain favorites today. The best German foods offer snapshots into German culture and history. Food prices and costs vary. The region’s culinary traditions have been influenced by Austria, Italy and France. Dishes often feature pork, beef, poultry, eggs, cabbage and potatoes.
Common Foods in Germany
What food is most common in Germany? German cuisine varies by region. Some popular national dishes are sausages, Sauerkraut, Schnitzel and spätzle. Germany is famous for Currywurst, sausages, pretzels and Black Forest Gateau. Pork is the most popular meat. The average German consumes up to 61 kg of meat yearly. Asparagus is a favorite vegetable. Germany has high meat consumption rates compared to some countries. Processed foods are cheaper in America, while fruits and vegetables are costlier. Obesity rates in Germany stand at 12.9 percent. Daily meals typically are breakfast, lunch and dinner. The evening meal is Abendbrot, literally meaning ‘evening bread’, more like a supper. Following a large midday meal, dinner tends to be lighter, with breads, meats and cheeses common. German cuisine includes traditional Bavarian dishes and French influences. Bread accompanies most meals. Pork, especially sausages, is very common. Cabbage, potatoes and greens feature heavily. Cake and coffee are also extremely popular. While there are some regional variations, German cuisine tends to focus on hearty meat and vegetable dishes.