Finding German Food in Cincinnati
Ginger is Germany’s most imported spice, with 35,7000 tons annually. Other popular spices include pepper, star anise, caraway, coriander and cinnamon. What would the holidays be without a display of gingerbread houses? The rest of the year you can find gingersnap cookies and even gingersnap gravy (recipe).
Ginger is an herb, not a spice which has an underground stem. It’s in the same family of turmeric and cardamom. Ginger has many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties, blood sugar regulation, and gastrointestinal relief.
It’s native to Southeast Asia and grows in the warmer and tropical climates. By the 1st century CE traders had brought ginger to the Mediterranean region. Then the herb spread throughout western Europe in the 11th century.
You have a few options to explore the Cincinnati’s German culinary heritage. Such as Goetta (pronounced “gut-uh”) is a breakfast German/American invention and staple, mostly in the winter months. It’s oats and a mixture of meats (usually pork and beef), shaped into a loaf and cooked for several hours. Sliced and ready to go!
Goetta featured with bacon
Now on to dessert! The Graeter’s brothers were German. Louis came to Cincinnati in 1868 and was making ice cream in public markets, perfectly their French pot process. Egg custard makes all of the difference!
After all the ingredients are combined, the mixture is placed in 2-gallon French pots. The pots are surrounded by a freezing cold saltwater mixture. They’re then spun using a motor, which flings the ice cream to the sides of the pot where it freezes.
By the way, German food is heavy. You may want to walk off those calories at a Cincinnati Park. Here are some suggestions.
Where to find those tasty morsels:
Gingersnaps: Cherbourg Bakery: 1804 Race Street. See the website for hours.
Goetta: Sleepy Bee Cafe: several locations in Cincinnati.
The Lübecker: 222 W 12th Street.
Graeter’s Ice Cream: It’s grown into a regional chain. See the website for locations.
For beer options, see my last post.