On my Christmas Market tour, I discovered that there are MANY more hot drink choices than just Glühwein and Feuerzangenbowle. I saw Kinderpunsch (punch for kids), Eierlikorpunsch (a warm Eggnoggy Punsch), Weihnachtspunsch, or Christmas Punch. This hot and rich Punch came loaded with holiday flavors, but until I found this Weihnachtspunsch Recipe, I couldn’t quite put my taste buds on…
Category: German Holidays and Festivals
Schwibbogen German Christmas Light Arch from the Erzgebirge
Like many German Christmas decorations, the Schwibbogen came from the Erzgebirge. Beginning in the Middle Ages, the “Mettenschicht” was the traditional last work shift before Christmas in the Ore Mountains. In these deep dark mines, a miner’s light kept the darkness at bay, and hanging them together along an arch would light up the cavern. The tradition of Schwibbogen, or…
White Glühwein Recipe – Citrus and Spice and everything nice!
While on a Christmas Market Tour, I tried all sorts of warm drinks… there was Red Glühwein, Feuerzangenbowle, Punsch, Eierpunsch, and WHITE Glühwein. White Glühwein? I’d never seen that before! This mulled white wine is warm and flavorful with the addition of Cinnamon, Anise, and Allspice. And that citrus kick appeals to my Southern California upbringing. I experimented with…
German Oktoberfest Words To Help You Enjoy the Fest
Want to fit in at Oktoberfest? Use these German Oktoberfest Words, and you will sound like a local! Sure, you may not be able to manage the Bavarian accent right away. (I think that requires you to drink two or three Maß first…) But you WILL be able to order food and drink, find the bathroom, and basically navigate the…
The Muenchener Kindl – The Symbol of Munich
For someone not from Munich (like me), the Münchener Kindl is a little bit confusing. When I first heard it, I presumed it referred to a native… someone BORN in Munich. And although, I’ve heard people referring to themselves that way, it’s much more. It’s the symbol of Munich, and you see it all over the city. A monk with…
The Oktoberfest Cookbook- German Oktoberfest Recipes
Festival season is a great time to learn some new German Oktoberfest Recipes. Naturally, I want to be able to cook staples like Brathändl /Roast Chicken and Bavarian Kartofelsalat /potato salad (my northern German version is vastly different). But I also wanted recipes for the less well-known, and quite delicious foods that you would find at Oktoberfest… but now…
Wooden German Christmas Decorations from the German Christmas Shop USA
Last year I was lucky… I was not only able to get to the Christmas Markets in Germany, I was also able to get to the workshops and stores in Seiffen to buy authentic Wooden German Christmas decorations. You see, I love the real deal, not the cheap knockoffs from wherever. I want to be able to keep woodcarving traditions…
German Easter Nest Tradition- From Germany to Texas
My friend Chuck grew up in Yorktown, Texas, about an 1 ½ hours south of New Braunfels (the heart of German Texas), where his great great grandfather Johann Jost settled in 1848 after leaving Womelsdorf, Germany. Much of his family is still there. Because of the pandemic stay-at-home order, his sister is sorting through Afflerbach family history, and recently came…
Kinder for Easter- Fill the Easter Basket with Kinder Chocolate
Kinder for Easter… that’s how I grew up. So, I know how terribly disappointed many of you are that Kinder Surprise Eggs aren’t available in the United States (I cover that issue in depth here–> Kinder Eggs). Still, there are many other WONDERFUL Kinder Treats that will be more than welcome in ANY child’s Easter Basket. Kinder chocolate is always …