The German National Tourist Board (DZT) proclaimed 2018 the year of “culinary Germany”.
It’s no longer a secret that Germany has more to offer the culinary world than pork knuckle, sausages and sauerkraut. Yet local specialities and trends in states such as Hessen are not known to the rest of the country. The Ahle Wurscht as part of the slow food movement, gin based on a Hessian national dish, a whole barn full of cheese delicacies and black vanilla ice cream – the people of Hessen eat surprisingly well, with diverse and innovative creations.
Die Ahle Wurscht is actually called “Alte Wurst” (old sausage) and can easily compete with Italian delicacies. There’s hardly another foodstuff that people from North Hessen associate more with their home than this sausage. The “slow food” movement even recognized the Ahle Wurscht as endangered species which needs protection and is therefore considered as a “passenger on the Ark of taste”. In terms of the movement towards regionality and conscious enjoyment of food, the traditional speciality is more contemporary than ever before.
In Hungen in Vogelsberg, the “Hungener Käsescheune” (cheese barn) has dedicated itself to pleasure surrounding the dairy product, without additives and flavour enhancers. Also here, master chef Tobias Gerschweski relies completely on seasonal and regional products. And of course, real Hessians can’t do without an Äppelwoi cheese. They also offer a workshop where you can get the “Assistant Cheese-maker Diploma”.
On the gourmet tour across Hessen, the black vanilla ice cream will draw you in at the “Aroma Bistro & Eisbar” in Marburg. The pitch-black delicacy is coloured with activated carbon which has a detoxifying effect, is flavourless and strengthens the aroma of the vanilla.
Besides all the meat delicacies and other animal products, Hessen also offers a great deal for people who have forsworn these foodstuffs. Frankfurt is the third best German city for vegans.* Numerous restaurants devote themselves to the task of serving vegan treats. With vegan burgers, sandwiches, raw fruit cakes and much more, you don’t feel like you’re depriving yourself at all.