It’s only a 4 hour train ride from Prague to Berlin.
That was music to my travel hungry ears when looking for a trip that could reach more than one country. A one way flight into the former mentioned Prague and one way out of Berlin with a quick train ride was the perfect solution and has me wondering why we don’t have a similar train here?!
The train to Berlin was filled with stunning views and quite enjoyable. It brought me into the train station right in time for dinner and what better food to try first than the infamous bratwurst? Pictured above is a bratwurst and sauerkraut dinner that could only be enjoyed with a Pilsner. This was the exact traditional I was looking for.
Very similar to an Italian sausage, yet subtly different enough, bratwurst are made of pork and sometimes veal, and seasoned with specific spices before they are cooked. Depending on which region of Germany you are in, you may get a different wurst which there are 40 variations of. In the Alexanderplatz area of Berlin, I thoroughly enjoyed whichever version it was served to me! Adding mustard is a must. Mixed with the spices of the bratwurst, the tingle and kick makes each bite interesting. Often mustard is substituted with a curry ketchup to make a “Currywurst” as curry is a popular ingredient but without curry you can taste the sausage and its’ flavors much better. For a foreign tourist, this was the perfect meal to start what would be a street food filled trip.
That is the one thing I would say when getting your bratwurst in Germany- get one from the street food vendors. It is meant to be a street food and the Alexanderplatz region has one on every corner. For a smaller price you can enjoy this like a local, just don’t forget your mustard!
I love a good sauerkraut so don’t mind the mountain pictured on my plate and me telling you to get your fixin while in Germany because it is available in all restaurants and good for you! Leaves room to enjoy the pretzel you see as well with some beer cheese and actual beer. Really the perfect first meal in Germany, would recommend over and over again.
Now to the desserts. The wonderful pastries, chocolates, and jellies of Germany. I can not emphasize enough how important it is if visiting Berlin to stop by Das Rausch Schkoladenhaus, what is the greatest chocolate house I have ever seen. Also, the worlds largest. Three stories filled with chocolate making and display cases like this:
The pralines and truffles are handcrafted with very specific standards each one must meet. Due to its delicate making, pralines are considered the “crown jewel” of chocolate making. Don’t mind if I take a couple dozen of those! The website describes “Each praline is a small masterpiece and contains creativity, genuine craftsmanship and a great deal of attention to detail.” That is how much care goes into Rausch. I selected a variety filled with nuts, ganache, nougat, and even alcohols. The rum were particularly yummy but the nut filled pralines were by far my favorite. I even opted for a couple of marzipan filled pralines and loved them! An ingredient I would normally avoid. The truffles (not pictured) were just as enjoyable. A smaller treat, the difference is the shape they are filled with ganache but all sorts of flavors are available like the pralines. Trust me and come with a primed sweet tooth to this praline and truffle bar!
Now on to the bars and blocks of chocolate, wrapped beautifully (ie the perfect souvenir). Each chocolate confection different in flavor and so pure and true to a cocoa chocolate, it makes you wonder how? “We purchase our fine flavour cocoa chocolates directly from the plantations and maintain personal contact and exchange with all partners – cocoa farmers, representatives of the cooperatives and Cocoa Board members of the region of origin.” That is how. Chocolate bars are labeled with the country of origin, type, characteristics, and the the cocoa content in them, so you can try all sorts of varieties and become a chocolate connoisseur yourself.
Some serious commitment to creating the best chocolate in the world and they have done it.
Finally, if you read my previous post, you know this trip was a Thanksgiving getaway, and with Christmas right around the corner, the famous Christmas markets of Germany were in full, merry display! I made sure to map out a plan of attach and visit as many as possible. From your typical fair suspects like fudge to traditional German fare, the markets really had it all and got you in the spirit. Sharing below my favorite, a stand dedicated completely to poppyseed desserts!
