Currywurst: Germany's Popular Street Food Made With Sausage And Sauce
The Interesting Origin Of Currywurst In Germany:
It was Berlin, 1949. The city was rebuilding itself from the aftermath of World War II. Amidst, stood Herta Heuwer, a woman with a food cart in Charlottenburg and a knack for improvisation. Thanks to a barter with British soldiers, Heuwer got her hands on some foreign luxuries, including ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and that mystical yellow coloured spice mix, called curry powder.
She mixed them into a sauce, grilled pork sausages, sliced them up, and served the dish to hungry construction workers. It was an instant hit. So much so that Heuwer patented her sauce under the name "Chillup" in 1951. At her peak, she was reportedly serving up to 10,000 currywursts a week.
A Nation-Wide Love Affair:
From that humble cart, currywurst spread like wildfire across Germany. Today, it is everywhere, from food trucks, supermarket shelves, factory canteens, and even souvenir shops. Reportedly, more than 800 million currywursts are eaten in Germany every year, with 70 million in Berlin alone.
You will also find regional takes on the dish. Berlin prefers its sausage without casing, called ohne Darm, while Hamburg loves it grilled and crispy. Some sauces include paprika, others Coca-Cola - yes, you heard that! In fact, there is even an official currywurst-themed commemorative coin minted in Germany.
Does This Dish Has Anything To Do With Indian Curry?
Currywurst is not an Indian curry by any stretch, but it does carry the fragrance of the subcontinent. In German kitchens, "curry" usually means a mild spice blend made with turmeric, cumin, coriander etc. In fact, the currywurst sauce itself is a ketchup base with hints of tang and warmth from curry powder, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and sometimes sugar.
Final Bite:
If you ever land in Berlin, check out Curry 36 or Konnopke's Imbiss. As per National Geography, these places are local legends. Order your wurst "mit Pommes" (with fries), sprinkle on extra curry powder, and eat it with a tiny wooden fork straight off a paper plate. Add a cold beer, and it's Berlin in a bite.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fashion Value Chain
26 minutes ago
- Fashion Value Chain
Weaving Traditions: The Cultural Tapestry of Indian Handlooms
Ms. Ananya Tiwari, Post-Graduate Academic Scholar in Fashion Management, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Ministry of Textiles, Daman campus Abstract Boasting a rich history and vibrant culture woven into its textile traditions, it is confirmed that India is indeed a land of handlooms. The handloom sector in India has a long tradition of outstanding artisanship that represents and preserves vibrant Indian culture. It is one of the largest cottage industries with over 2.8 million looms. This sector has the advantage of being eco-friendly and having less power consumption. In this article, we will go through a glimpse of two such handlooms from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Introduction First, we will go through Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Cross-pollinated by trade and commerce, its long history has been interwined with its textile roots it is one of the renowned centres for zari and brocade weaving. These fabrics have a long and continuous tradition in our cultural history. The weavers of Varanasi are masters of many complex weaving techniques. From the Kadwa and Fekua to Cutwork and Urtu, each technique is individual and distinct. In each category, there are variations and adaptations. All woven on indigenously made looms, a wide range of fibres is used, from the finest cotton yarns to the coarsest, from wide silks to the most refined. Brocade work can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Due to its complex and intricate design, it would usually be worn by royal families across countries like Japan, Korea, China, and Greece. Brocade refers to those textiles where patterns are created on the loom itself, which means it is the process of weaving by transfixing the pattern thread between the warp. This highly delicate work uses gold, silk, silver, or cotton threads with extra weft patterning. This gives the motif an embossed appearance over a regular fabric that increases its ornamentation. The Jangla is a literal jungle pattern, which is inspired by nature that spreads across the textile field like a jal/ net. It is represented with the imagery of the royal hunt. Tigers, deer, birds, and horses are all intermingling in a forest of floral motifs. This Jangla and Shikargah represent the mastery of Varanasi weavers who depicted the favoured pastime of ruling princes and aristocracy. Gyasar comes under the different types of Varanasi brocades. The design, pattern, colours, and theme are based on the auspicious Buddhist symbols and floral imagery. The Gyasar weave has been used for centuries for ceremonial dress as an offering. The clients for this weave include the Royal family of Bhutan and other followers of Buddhism across the world. This heavy brocade in silk with gold and silver zari is woven on the pitloom with a width of 23', and a weaver can produce just a few inches in a day. Coming to the western part of India, we will now be talking about the Patola of Gujarat, the double Ikat silk fabric made in Patan was a popular item of Indian export to Indonesia around the 13th century, where Indian, Portuguese, Dutch, and other merchants used them to barter for spices. The name Patola is derived from the Sanskrit word 'pattakulla', and is the plural form of the word patolu. Dynamic geometric grid patterns and intricate motifs combine to form the double ikat textiles of India. The precise placement of the closely woven motifs, combined with rich colours, provides the patolu (weaver) of Gujarat a mosaic-like appearance. Pattern drawn on a graph sheet Patolas are manufactured by the resist-dyeing technique. The essential block-like quality of these textiles comes from the reference to the double ikat technique. In this process, sets of identical marked threads are tied and dyed at regular intervals. When woven, it forms networks of stepped motifs or patterns. Precision is the main goal of a patolu weaver. This is a Panch Ful Bhat silk Patola sari using the techniques of Double Ikat, where five flowers are shown in full bloom as a motif. Cotton is rarely used, especially for ikat sections. With a few exceptions, the Patola is traditionally used as a rectangular cloth. In Jain and Hindu communities, double ikat saris with entire design of parrots, flowers, elephants, and dancing figures are generally used, whereas in Muslim communities, saris with geometric designs and flower patterns are used, being worn mostly for weddings and other special occasions. Conclusion Handloom is not just about weaving the fabric, but it also represents our human creativity and cultural continuity. It showcases the patience and skill of artisans who transform these regular-looking threads into textiles, which gives us the meaning and heritage of our country. As power looms are giving us speed in this industrial revolution, the handloom stands as a reminder that beautiful things can emerge from slowness, where traditions are preserved and coexist with progress.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Indian migrant helps rescue woman from massive sinkhole in Singapore, earns praise
An Indian migrant worker has earned praise for his quick-thinking after he helped rescue a woman who fell into a sinkhole in Singapore. The sinkhole, filled with water, suddenly opened up a section of Tanjong Katong Road South on Saturday evening and swallowed a car. A car plunged into a large, water-filled sinkhole in Singapore on July 26. Singapore's National Water Agency, known as PUB (Public Utilities Board), said the road collapse happened near one of its active worksites. (Also read: Giant, water-filled sinkhole swallows car in Singapore, woman pulled out alive in dramatic rescue) Indian migrant worker saves a life Site foreman Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah was among the first to notice that a car had plunged into the sinkhole. He immediately rushed to help the car's occupant. Subbiah, a 46-year-old site foreman with Ohin Construction, said he heard a sudden sound and saw the sinkhole forming. Realising that a car had gone down the hole, he instructed three of his workers to toss down a nylon rope. The woman opened the door of her car and reached for the rope. Workers then pulled her up until she was close enough to the edge to be lifted out. She was immediately rushed to Raffles Hospital. According to a Channel News Asia report, Subbiah is from India and has worked in Singapore for the last 22 years. Asked how he felt during the rescue, the 46-year-old said, 'I was scared, but every feeling was that this woman must be rescued first. (At the end of everything), I felt thankful that we had saved a life.' 'To me, the fact that someone had fallen in - no matter what happened, we had to rescue her as quickly as possible. That was our thinking, and that was the determination and urgency with which we rescued her,' he explained. Rescue earns applause Subbiah has earned plaudits for his presence of mind that potentially helped save a woman's life. 'Not sure if he qualifies for Permanent Residence but Pitchai surely deserves to be offered,' wrote one person on Reddit. 'Should get a medal and an honorary citizenship that allows him to dual-wield with presumably-existing Republic of India citizenship. He has done more for this country's people than anybody working in CBP and MBFC,' another said. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has also said it will be reaching out to the workers who helped in the rescue to 'commend them for their bravery and prompt action in saving a life.'
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Why is the Moon affectionately called Chanda Mama in India
Throughout the ages, the moon has always captivated human beings with its mysterious charm and glow in the night sky, serving as a symbol of hope, rebirth, and rhythm. The Moon has been a part of it all, be it myths, legends, rituals or calendars, ever since the childhood of a baby by influencing how we pray, and how we dream. In India, the moon isn't just a celestial body, but a deity, a symbol of royalty, and a storyteller in the sky. Children still call it Chanda-mama, the maternal uncle who visits often but never stays long. But have you ever thought about why it is called by this name? What is the legendary story of the Moon The moon has long been a symbol of resurrection in Indian mythology. As per legend, Chandra, the moon-god, was cursed with a wasting disease because he favoured only one of his 27 wives, the lunar constellations or nakshatras. According to another legendary version, he eloped with Tara, the wife of Brihaspati (Jupiter), causing a divine outrage. In both tales, Chandra began to wane and feared he would vanish forever. In desperation, he turned to Lord Shiva for help. It is explained in a Puranic lore that Shiva holds the Ganga in his matted hair and Ganga is the river believed to grant rebirth. 'If Shiva can give the dead another chance at life, he surely can resurrect the waning moon,' writes mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik in one of his essays. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas Prices In Dubai Might Be More Affordable Than You Think Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Quote Undo Shiva appeared before Chandra at Somnath, Gujarat, and placed him in his hair-knot, enabling him to wax again. Since then, the moon has been called Soma, symbolizing regeneration and hope. The Moon has long been associated with empires The symbolism of the Moon also has a place among the warriors. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th-century Maratha king, wore the crescent moon, or chandra-kor, on his forehead. It served as a visual reminder of freedom and resilience. 'It was meant to inspire people never to give up on the idea of freedom (swarajya), to remind all that after the dark night of the new moon, the waxing begins,' writes Pattanaik. The crescent moon is also associated with Islam, seen on the flags of Pakistan and Turkey. But it was not originally a religious symbol but an imperial one, used by the Ottomans after they conquered Byzantium in the 15th century. The crescent represented the founder, Osman's dream of an empire stretching across the world. Moon symbolism goes deeper in Indian lore. Chandragupta Maurya's name, according to Jain tradition, comes from his mother's desire to drink moonlight-infused water. Chanakya fulfilled it by offering the water bathed in moonlight. Why is the Moon called ' Chanda Mama ' Indian kings often traced their lineage to the moon or Soma-vamsa and the sun or Surya-vamsa. The Ramayana is the tale of the solar dynasty, while the Mahabharata follows the lunar. Interestingly, Lord Ram, who belonged to the Solar lineage, is called 'Ram-chandra'. It is that he was fond of the moon. According to Pattanaik, he would not sleep until his mother showed him the reflection of the moon in a pot of water and saw the moon as his mother's brother. That's why, just like Ram, even today we lovingly call the moon Chanda-mama—the dear uncle who visits his sister often, but never stays too long. The name 'maas' is also associated with the Moon Linguists believe the word maas (month) doesn't come from Sanskrit but from the Munda tribes, whose women called the moon maa. So a full moon became poorna-maa, and a new moon, a-maa. Art also immortalizes the moon-god riding a chariot pulled by deer or geese, holding a rabbit or Shasha. As per the Jataka tales, that rabbit was the Buddha in a previous life, who sacrificed himself for a hungry man. The gods rewarded him with a place on the moon, making him Shashank, the rabbit-marked moon.
