My Journey with German Cousins 
by Thoko Johana Mahlangu
 

I can describe myself as a true ‘bon vivant’ (a lover of good food). As such, I was looking forward to trying the best German cuisines. Before my trip, I tirelessly searched the internet for traditional German food and as expected, I came across several website’s that suggests Top 10 food to eat when you’re in Germany. As a result, upon I arrival I thought that German food comprised of sausages, bread and beer. However, German food is much more than this. 

My host mother, Heike thought me that Germany has a long culinary history reflecting its rural roots and geography. Although she believes that she was an Italian woman in her previous life, she is a vibrant and phenomenal German woman who can fix you a delicious meal in a few minutes. On our first night, she made a German potato soup also known as Kartoffelsuppe with Wiener sausages and bread. This was the perfect hearty, warming and deliciously comforting dish for two girls on their first night away from home. As it would be custom for our dinner nights, our first meal was accompanied by the best red Italian wine I have ever tasted.

Breakfast

Frühstück or breakfast is one of the most important meals in German households. My roommate and I started our day with a warm beverage such as coffee or tea. Next followed by slices of fresh, crusty or toasted bread (Brot) or bread rolls (Brötchen) with various spreads and toppings. These included Butter (butter), Marmelade (jams/preserves) or Quark mit Schnittlauch (a type of curd cheese with chives), Wurst (sausage) and Käse (cheese).

My host mother encouraged us to eat snack between breakfast and lunch. Far from being unhealthy, it helped me not to overeat during lunch and dinner. It also evoked my adventures to bakeries. In Germany, you can find a bakery (Bäckerei) on nearly every street corner, in train or metro stations. Here you can buy Brezeln, Brötchen and other types of pastries to eat on the go. My most favorite snacks were soft pretzels- sliced horizontally and slathered with butter. Other snacked included   fruits, yogurt or a müsli bar.

Lunch

The lunch at the Mensa is one of my  biggest  highlight in Germany. Although the food is not so different from the food I eat at my residence, the difference came in the portions. Our first lunch consisted of pork Schnitzel mit pommes (Schnitzel with fries). A typical lunch plate at the MENSA consisted of meat (particularly pork and chicken). Vegetables are also a standard part of any meal. Typical vegetables served at lunchtime were grüne Bohnen (green beans), Möhren (carrots), Kohl (cabbage). Additionally, potatoes were also a staple and come in the various forms such as Salzkartoffel (boiled), Knödel (dumplings), Bratkartoffel (fried potatoes), Kroketten (croquettes), Kartoffelpüree (mashed potatoes) and, of course, Pommes Frites (french fries)! The food at the MENSA was extra special because it gave me an opportunity create friendships and memories to last a lifetime.

Dinner

My host family and I had dinner once  week and which was mostly traditional Italian cuisine accompanied by a salad and a glass of wine or schnepser. 

On the other days I ate a lot of traditional fast foods like the Bratwurst served with a bread roll (Brötchen) and currywurst, a sliced sausage served with a curry-ketchup, and Pommes Frites (french fries). These sausages and fries can all be purchased from street stalls. My ultimate favourite was the Döner Kebabs a Turkish meal that can be found on virtually every street in large towns and cities! A Döner Kebab is made from thinly sliced meat (veal, lamb or poultry) cut from a rotating vertical roasting spit. The meat is served in a warm pita pocket or flatbread (Fladenbrot) with lettuce, onion, cucumber, tomatoes and a yogurt sauce (Joghurtsoße). This is the best budget dinner for students.

I am grateful for being awarded the opportunity to participate in the TSAP exchange. This experience has thought me to dream big, draw lessons from the people and places I encounter every day. The world is indeed my oyster!