Rev. Dr. Kuby, a historian of his native village in the Palatinate, commented once about breakfast in Germany. As a historian, he knew as much about breakfast in times past as today. He said that in 1700, the three meals of the day were composed of bread, bread, and bread. In 1800, the three meals of the day were composed of potatoes, potatoes, and potatoes. Between these two dates, the potato was discovered as a very useful food source.
Breakfast today in Germany is not likely to include potatoes, though it is sure to include bread. At least, a paying customer can expect to be offered some bread. Of course, in a private home one may eat what he/she desires. But, to the person who is traveling and staying in a Gasthaus (guesthouse), or similar accommodations, Frühstück (breakfast) is inklusive (included).
The breakfast food at a Gasthaus is likely to start with a choice of Kaffee oder Tee (coffee or tea). Then, soon after, one is served with a basket of rolls, a platter of a variety of meat cold cuts, and sliced cheese. Very commonly one is also given a glass of orange juice. Nearly always there will be a soft-boiled egg in the shell. If you eat everything, you will not be hungry before das Mittagessen (the mid-day meal, or lunch).
If you are at a hotel in a larger city, breakfast will probably consist of a buffet of the previous items (perhaps no eggs), plus a choice of cold cereals and fresh fruits.
We were surprised at how common orange juice was in Germany. It is available at all times, at all places, it seems. I think we saw more orange juice being drunk than beer. If you are at a private home, and they ask if you want something to drink, it is fairly safe to expect that they will have some orange juice.
In the breakfast menu above, I forgot to mention the generous quantities of butter and cream that are offered. In a breakfast for two, you will probably be served a quarter pound of butter. The cream is not weak-kneed; it is good, thick, tasteful, real cream. One cringes at so much butter-fat, but then you rationalize and say that you will be here only a short time and you can survive so much luxury.
The most difficult thing to obtain is a glass of water. No free water, but plenty of bottled water (Mineralwasser), for a price. Every menu includes paid-for "bottled water".
(27 May 04)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.