Donuts. Is there anything they can't do?
- Homer Simpson

February is the month in which all fun breaks loose in Germany and feasting is the name of the game! If you ever thought Germans were rather solemn and serious, then you just haven't experienced the annual pre-Lenten carnival season in Germany. Karneval, also known as Fasching or Fastnacht, is a time for eating, drinking and merriment and there are plenty of traditional foods and beverages to indulge in during this pre-fast feasting! One of the most ubiquitous pre-Lenten delicacies is Krapfen, a European-style donut made with yeast dough, traditionally filled with jam or jelly and sprinkled with icing sugar. Germans are so serious about these tempting treats that there's even a bakery in Munich that offers a "Call-a-Krapfen" service which will deliver fresh donuts to your door. But you don't have to travel to Germany or dial long distance to experience the delightful deutscher donut. Read on to learn how to make your own Krapfen and discover more about Germany's King of the Karneval Season!

More about Krapfen and the Karneval Season

Love - What's Chocolate Got To Do With It?

Chocolate is a perfect food, as wholesome as it is delicious, a beneficent restorer of exhausted power.
Baron Justus von Liebig

The connection between love and the "food of the gods" dates back to the ancient Aztecs, who associated chocolate with the goddess of fertility, Xochiquetzal. Xocolatl, a bitter, frothy chocolate beverage made with cacao and spiced with vanilla, chili pepper and achiote, was believed to enhance libido. In modern times, it's widely known that chocolate consumption stimulates the release of serotonin and endorphins into the body, producing a relaxed or euphoric feeling. Chocolate is, according to trend researchers, one of the many "mood foods" that Germans are trending towards. Simply put, these Seelentröster or "pick-me-up" foods make you happy and lift your spirits. And chocolate, not surprisingly, is at the top of the list. Many of Germany's high quality chocolates now combine dark chocolate loaded with heart-healthy antioxidants with unusual ingredients like sweet mango and spicy chili peppers. Whether you're looking for a quality gift for your loved one or seeking a delicious de-stresser, make sure to look for German brands such as Hachez Feodora, Ritter, Reber or Niederegger. Check out our online database to find a store near you that stocks these products or check out our online store for delicious samplers.

To Buy:Samplers of Premium German Sweets

More about Chocolate, the Food of the Gods

Carnival - Germany's Fifth and Zaniest Season

Depending on the region, Germans have different names for what they fondly refer to as their fifth sesaon, Karneval, Fasching or Fastnacht. The season officially starts on 11/11 at 11:11 am when carnival clubs in Germany start getting ready for the long carnival weekend in February which culminates in colorful, costumed parades and raucous celebrations in the streets of many German towns and cities on Rose Monday. The hot spots for Karneval are Köln, Düsseldorf and Mainz along the Rhine and regions in Southern Germany (Fasching or Fastnacht).

The exact dates for German carnival are different every year, much like the Easter weekend. This year it kicks off on Thursday February 19 (called Women's carnival, Weiberfastnacht), with full-force partying and parades on Rose Monday (February 23) and ends two days later on Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the sober season of Lent. Should your upcoming Germany trip happen to fall within that week, make sure to seize the opportunity. Brave the cold together with the cheerful crowds in the streets of Germany. Hot Glühwein, a fresh char-grilled Bratwurst sausage and freshly prepared Berliner donuts will warm you up in no time!

More about how Germans celebrate carnival