Hello! I thought it was about time to let you know about some of the journeys I have been taking to some towns right here in Northern Germany!
Lübeck:
A few weekends ago, I took a trip to the nearby town of Lübeck, which is world renowned for its marzipan! I went with some fellow Americans, and we were lucky to know someone who lived there who gave us a lovely tour of the city.
Marzipan is a special confection made with almond paste and sugar. By legend, marzipan was invented in Lübeck in response to a famine, although it actually probably arrived from the Middle East at the end of the Middle Ages. Originally, it was sold only by apothecaries and used as a medicine! Eventually, it became a special treat for nobles and very wealthy members of society, as sugar was very expensive. However, after the introduction of beet sugar, marzipan became available to the masses and has since become a very important Christmas-time treat. Over a thousand pounds of marzipan are produced every day during the holiday season!
The best thing about marzipan is that you can make it into whatever shape you would like, like clay, but at the end, you can eat it!
