A walk through Germany's culinary lanes.

Germany is a fairy-tale expedition like the Grimm’s Fairy Tales that captured my imagination both as a child and now, as an adult. The land of the Rhines is asplendid destination; electric and full of different shades of fun. Be prepared for a roller coaster ride of feasts, treats and temptations galore. Get set to experience its soul-stirring sceneries, spirit-lifting cuisine, big-city beauties, romantic palaces and half-timbered towns.

A visit to Germany also gives you the opportunity to dig into the healthy and hearty foods that include the plethora of regional varieties and specialties on offer. I may not remember every bit of my travel experience but the titillated taste buds continue to throw up lip-smacking memories. Food is the gateway to the heart in a foreign land.It’s a memory intertwined with its culture and traditions and carries the aroma of the people and its land.

Growing up in India, I had a strong and bold taste bud but since I am blessed with the soul of a wanderer I have always been intrigued by the medley of flavours, and it always excited me to try something new. So, without a second thought I was ready to make my soul food journey, and explore the gastronomic wealth that Germany had to offer.

Hamburg history
As befits Hamburg’s cosmopolitan nature, the city’s food spectrum is quite wide. But while locals happily devour ceviche, ramen, poké bowls and other trendy eats, they’re also fierce fans of native dishes that have stood the test of time. The classic Hamburg quick-food fix is the Fischbrötchen (fish sandwich) – a white bread roll stuffed with pickled or brined herring, onion slivers and remoulade sauce. And the cure for sugar cravings is the Franzbrötchen, a cinnamon and sugar laced croissant-type roll that’s reportedly a left-over from the Napoleonic occupation (1806 to 1814). Carnivores, meanwhile, salivate over Currywurst, a pork sausage drenched in tangy tomato sauce and drizzled with curry powder.

Clubs and bars here are very popular chill zones, offering an array of mouth-watering dishes.Fascinating cafés dot the riverside, making for lovely spots all through the day—be it a breakfast rendezvous, astroll in the night or an idyllic walk during the sunset.

Berlin bubbles 
Berlin, the capital city never ceases to surprise and there’s always something new on the plate. The city vibrates with myriad cultural influences; cinematic feel, an ever-changing population, and so much diversity that it’s practically impossible to absorb it all.

There are many delicious corners around the city, which sells Doner kebabs. Locals are so hooked that hardly any joint is isolated, and no wonder, it’s not only in but keeps you full
for long.

Berlin is also home to many exotic clubs and old-world cafes which serve great German wines like Riesling, known and loved across the globe, the Riesling is an elegant white wine that sometimes has an aroma of peaches or apricots.

Müller-Thurgau (This white grape produces plain wines with less character than the Riesling.) which is grown everywhere and generally has a nuttier, riper taste than the Riesling. Spätburgunder (Germany’s Pinot Noir, this grape yields the best German red wines) could be the next German export to hit the world’s palette). So, if you get a chance do taste some authentic German wines. Trust me, the aromatic tastes will stay fresh in your memories.

Liquid bread
And what to talk about beer; “Beer isn’t just a beverage,” Germans say with a wink. “It’s liquid bread.” Craft beer is a big trend, not only in Berlin, but also in many other big cities of the world. There are many local craft beers and there are some famous beer gardens too. Being in Germany and not getting soaked in beer can never complete the trip.

Frankfurt Fare
The buzzing financial capital of the world and home to more than 180 nationalities, Frankfurt also proudly retains its gastronomic culture in the many food and beverage specialties that are popular with both locals as well as visitors. And who will not swear by its original Frankfurter sausage which possibly came into being in 1894, when a butcher Karl Gref and his wife Wilhelmine Voelsing opened a butcher’s shop (Metzgerei) in Frankfurt’s Altstadt.

Another mouth-watering temptation in Frankfurt is Apfelwein. This tart and refreshing apple cider drink has an alcohol content of between 5.5 and 7% and due to its cloudy nature, it is traditionally served in a Geripptes, a glass that has a lozenge cut so that it refracts light.

Finally, Germany is also home to desserts you can die for. The world famous Black Forest is home to the darkest, sweetest temptation. Whether it was first created in Radolfzell in 1915 or in a café in Tübingen in the 1930s, Black Forest has conquered the world. Similarly, traditional Frankfurter Kranz-aclassic buttercream filled cake or the original German crust cakes are a gourmet’s delight.

So, head out to your next fairy tale German holiday on food that stimulates the soul and salivates your tongue.