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Sauerkraut is a classic German food and it dates back to when most Germans got their food from their own small gardens, or from family-owned farms, or from markets where vendors sold produce like cabbage or pre-made sauerkraut.
Cabbage is easily grown in Germany, where the weather cooperates to make large heads of cabbage. Sauerkraut [translated: sour cabbage] is made when natural bacteria on cabbage and the natural "sugars" in the cabbage ferment to give the cabbage the classic savory "sour" taste and preserves the cabbage for months, even without refrigeration.
Today sauerkraut is available as a commercially packaged item in most countries, but sauerkraut will probably always maintain its reputation as a classic "German food". Commercial sauerkraut requires refrigeration once opened.
While a good quality sauerkraut can be eaten raw (as a topper for sausages, bratwurst, or Hot Dogs) many Germans take home-made or commercially available sauerkraut to another culinary level by slow-cooking it to perfection with bacon, onions, and pepper.
Adding a sweet white wine to the sauerkraut is also a popular cooking method and some commercial products are already prepared using white wine. Some home chefs even add apple pieces or applesauce to sweeten the sauerkraut. Other additives - depending on taste - can include caraway seeds and/or juniper berries.
The longer one cooks sauerkraut the less "sour" it becomes, but be careful not to scorch the sauerkraut and don't let it dry out. Slow cooking while adding liquid as needed is the best way to mellow a sauerkraut that may be too sour for your personal tastes.
I'm happy to answer specific questions. I own a store in the USA which sells German groceries, my mother was German, and I was born in Germany and lived there for many years.
Inga
Inga@GermanDeli.com
What else can I help you with?
What foods do Germans eat with carp?
Potatoes are always a good choice. Butter potatoes, potatoe pancake, potatoes with parsley... You can also use red cabbage.
Do Germans eat vegtables?
Vegetables are an important part of the German diet. Potatoes and cabbage is a favorite.
What do Germans like to eat?
pie
What do the Germans eat?
Germans like to eat sauerkraut and drink a lot of alcohol, more specifically, beer.
Why did the Germans invent potato salad?
Because they like potatoes so they invented potato salads
What do Germans like to eat most?
sausage
What did Germans eat in the 19th century?
German food in the late 19th century are mostly potatoes and bread. These food are always eaten almost everyday at that said period but sometimes they do eat other foods like flour soup and fresh vegetables.
What foods do the Irish eat?
They eat stuff like corn beef, potatoes, cabbage, and they like beer.
Do you eat potatoes I DO?
Yes, I eat potatoes. They can be very delicious. :)
Do you like to eat potatoes?
Sure. You should have a potato once in a while?
Do Germans eat frog legs?
anybody can eat frog legs because they have white meat in there hind legs; like chicken. So yes; Germans can eat frog legs if they wanted.
Red potato's have good or bad carbs?
Red potatoes have some nutrients in their skin. They turn into sugar just like regular potatoes, however. Potatoes are not complex carbohydrates.
