Bakeries are a huge part of culture and daily life in Germany. Everywhere you go, it is very easy to spot one. Most grocery stores even have their own bakery section filled with bread, pretzels, pastries and more! Many of these are self-serviced, meaning that shoppers use metal tongs to put what they want in a paper bag and then pay at the register with the rest of their items.
In Germany, it is very common to eat baked goods for several meals a day. Many people eat Brot (bread) or Brötchen (bread rolls) with spreads or toppings for breakfast, snack and dinner. You can even find this habit in German vocabulary: the word Abendbrot, which translates directly to “evening bread,” refers specifically to eating bread with toppings at dinnertime. Another popular tradition is Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake), a time in the afternoon for enjoying a hot drink with a pastry or slice of cake.
When I studied abroad in Berlin, I loved going to bakeries and trying local goods. Once I arrived back in Germany, I couldn’t wait to visit a bakery again!
