The contents of this “treasure chest” are not very unusual you will think – at least if you are American. But these are snacks bought at the US army commissary in Germany and our international running group is always happy when the Americans take over the snacks. Until a few years ago, crisps in Germany were plain or paprika – that’s it. And small packages were also not to come by. Cheetos are unheard of (although I’ve always preferred the South African version called Niknaks, tastier and less orangey).

Coming to think of it – snacks and foods, particularly fast foods have undergone a lot of changes in the last few decades.

Pizza only really became known in Germany in the seventies of the last century when migrant workers from Italy came to live here. I have a Greek friend who always tells of the story of bringing sacks of bell peppers back from holidays in his hometown in the sixties because you could not buy them in stores here. Döner was brought by the Turkish migrant (and in reality immigrant) workers, the first appearing in the seventies. Today they are a staple and even little towns have more than one Turkish Dönerbude. Falafel took a bit longer but are not considered unusual anymore.

So what are unusual German German snacks? How about Handkäse mit Musik (a sour milk cheese with vinegar, onions, and cummin) or in the version written on the blackboard below – crumbed Handkäse with green sauce and bread. A bretzel (not the small pretzels in packages, although they exist, but a large, freshly baked one) – it can come buttered or plain but served with a raddish cut in curls.

Friendly Friday: Unusual Snacks