German bread

Yes, this article is about the stereotypical longing for German bread, by people socialized in Germany but far away from home. True story 🙂

During my years on the other side of the Atlantic, a major source of homesickness for me was the food. Or the lack of food culture as I called it. And by food culture I don’t mean the number of Michelin starred restaurants. (Washington DC has twelve since October last year, as I am finding out randomly right now.) No, I mean bakeries in walking distance for example. 

From my temporary dwelling under the roof in Freiburg, from where I can see the Black Forest, there are at least 2-3 quality bakeries within a ten minute walking radius. Gosh, how I have missed this! When after two years I finally found the “German landbrot” at Firehook bakery in Dupont Circle, I thought ok, maybe I could live in this city medium- term. Ish. But then they only made it once a week and you had to call in to reserve it. —

Have I mentioned that I am glad to be back?

Now I celebrate rye sourdough magic with a crust almost every day on my dining stool. Europe on a plate. Walnuts, produce from the region, Spanish wine, cheese from neighboring France, a Swiss army knife. Heaven. 

I am planning to talk more about food here in the future, so be prepared and send me suggestions if you like. Some topics on my mind are the upcoming chestnut harvest (checked out the trees today) and the best döner in town. Guten Appetit!

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