German cuisine is often rich and differs depending on the region. Red meat, poultry, or fish served with potatoes, dumplings, noodles or rice, and vegetables are popular. Germany is famous for its many types of bread and cakes like the Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake) and coffee. Before a meal, your host family might say, “Guten Appetit,” which invites you to enjoy your meal. A hot meal is usually served once a day. Meals are served at specific hours, and all family members are expected to dine together and be on time.
The day starts with a rich breakfast: e.g. bread or rolls (the famous “Brötchen”) with Nutella, honey, jam, cheese, or ham. Also, Corn Flakes or “Müsli” (oats, nuts, and seeds with milk) might be served. On Sundays, Germans often have a boiled or fried egg as well.
Lunch is served on one plate, together with vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or rice. On Sundays and sometimes during the week as well people love to have coffee and tea with cake in the afternoon around 3 and 4 pm. This is called Kaffeetrinken and is a cherished tradition in German culture.
The traditional German dinner – Abendbrot, which translates as evening bread – is just that: it consists of slices of bread and cold cuts as well as cheese. There might also be a plate of cut vegetables or some gherkins. The bread can be smeared with butter and you are free to choose from the Wurst and Käse as a topping. Germany is famous for its hundreds of varieties of bread: there is soft white wheat bread, crusty or soft bread from a mixture of rye and wheat or spelt, and heavy and dense black bread. Some are packed and covered with sunflower or pumpkin seeds, or they contain nuts or spices like caraway.
