July 25, 2022 - 7:04am
Best herb/spice gift from Germany
My son is travelling to Berlin, Germany in a few weeks and always asks what he can bring back for me when he travels. Most recently, I've gotten some wonderful English tea. Wonderful son! I always tell him to go for something small and easy to pack and that unique food items are always interesting.
Any suggestions from my German friends at TFL? I was thinking BroetGewurtz (spelling??) would be a good idea. Also, isn't there a type of fennel hard to obtain in the US-Blue fennel?? Is that from Germany or was that Swiss origin?
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I had a friend bring me back a bag of German chicken seasoning that is used for rotisserie chicken and it was delicious.
might be the spice/seed you're thinking about. Don't know if available in Germany.
Kümmel (Caraway) seems always fresher here than in the states -- good shelf turnover.
Brotgewürtz I think is the correct spelling for bread spices.
Prepared Eatragon Mustard is pretty good too, several kinds and in many different sizes, glass, plastic, and alluminum tubes.
I always have to chuckle about the word "gift." In German, the English word "gift" means poison. Gift shops, gifts for your loved ones, sentimental gifts, gifts for all ages.... Lol
One of them does, or did, make regular trips to Germany.
I'll second the blue fenugreek. Only the seeds are available in the US so you would have to grow your own. I'm curious what flavor it imparts to bread.
Because there seems to be many variations of Brotgewürz made with different combinations of spices, you may want the individual spices so you can tailor the mix to your palate. Don't like anise or fennel? Leave 'em out.
My suggestion would be for Roggenmalz (aka Farbmalz or Röstmalz). This should be different than normal brewer's rye malt in that it has been fermented before drying/roasting. I think it would be similar to the Russian solod, or red rye malt. Not available from normal baking suppliers here in the US. There are some sellers on eBay selling solod, but it is expensive.
+1 for Roggenmalz! I'm not sure how easy it is to get in Germany either, I think people typically order online from e.g. backstars.de.
I love all the ideas! I will give these suggestions to my son but, ultimately, it will have to be what fits and is easily transportable. AND what is available near to wherever he is staying. He will be travelling with his SO who is a chef, so I'm thinking a food related item will be more likely to be chosen.
NEWS FLASH: I just heard they are adding Italy to their itinerary! Not sure where but I think Malta is involved.