Have you tried the medieval treat from the Nuremberg Christmas Market?
You probably have, even if you’ve never stepped foot in Nuremberg. But you may not have had the REAL treat. I can almost smell the cinnamon, Allspice and cloves. Just thinking about it takes me back to my childhood where I remember cutting out cookies in the shape of reindeer or Santa Claus.
Nuremberg’s Christmas Market medieval speciality is GINGERBREAD (lebkuchen in German).
Gingerbread bakers in Nuremberg first appeared in the records as early as 1395.
Nuremberg became famous for its gingerbread since it was on the spice route. Back in the Middle Ages wafer-based gingerbread (different from the gingerbread cookies found in North America) was considered a delicacy. Nuremberg soon took pride in making the best gingerbread and as early as 1441 there was a spice inspector at the city gates. Only the highest quality spices were allowed into the city, before being passed onto the gingerbread bakers.
Today, there are more than 4000 gingerbread bakers in Nuremberg today and the pride in making high quality gingerbread still stands, enhanced by the long tradition.
What to Purchase at the Nuremberg Christmas Market:
Gingerbread obviously! I always buy one to eat on the spot and them some to take home and share with guests over the holidays. I have a gluten allergy and had my very first gluten-free gingerbread here. Not all stalls have it, but if you ask around you will find it.
Besides the gingerbread itself, the packing and containers can also be works of art. Some of them are even collector’s items.
The Nuremberg Christmas Market is also a great place to purchase high quality spices used to make gingerbread like cinnamon, Allspice, ginger, Aniseed, Candied lemon peel, or candied orange peel. You can compare your gingerbread making efforts to those of the Nuremberg Gingerbread Makers.
Did I mention that gingerbread goes nicely with another one of my favorites? I’m talking about Mulled Wine: The most popular drink at German Christmas Markets of course.
