Kaffee & Kuchen

We all love coffee and we are almost sure that as much as you love coffee, you also love having cake with that coffee.  This may be another reason why Germany’s tradition of afternoon coffee and cake is near and dear to our hearts. 

Germany is a country known for many things and one of the most  popular (maybe next to their bread) is their great cakes and baked goods.  The country is chocked full of great Bäckereien (Bakeries), in some cities, literally on every corner. 

Germany’s famous fare includes one of our favorites Bienenstich (Bee Sting Cake), as well as Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Cake) and many, many others.  The Kaffee und Kuchen tradition dates back to the 17th century and continues today.  This tradition is also practiced in many other German speaking parts of the world, including Germany’s neighbors Switzerland and Austria, each having their own specialty pastries and cakes.  A great example would be the Sachertorte in Vienna, yum! 

A daily event, Kaffee und Kuchen is a social event providing a way for family and friends to enjoy each other’s company, while enjoying the phenomenal sweets of the area.  This is most often done in someone’s home, however, some cafes also have afternoon Kaffee und Kuchen.  It can also be an afternoon office event with employees bringing in  pastries or cakes from a nearby bakery.  The most popular day for a Kaffee und Kuchen experience is Sunday.  What better way to relax on a Sunday afternoon, than spending time with friends in a calming Kaffee und Kuchen atmosphere.

You may notice that dessert is not often served in Germany at the conclusion of a meal.  So, this lovely tradition fills the void and calms our afternoon cravings.   Now, when visiting Germany, make sure you MAKE the time for Kaffee und Kuchen!