Erfurt certificate brings new dispute over the oldest bratwurst!

Erfurt certificate brings new dispute over the oldest bratwurst!

What could be more delicious than the famous bratwurst, which has had a permanent place in German food culture for centuries? An exciting dispute about the origin of this delicacy recently flared up again when Erfurt researchers discovered a historical document from 1269. This mentions a bratwurst stand on the picturesque Krämerbrücke, as Marktspiegel reports. The project manager Martin Sladeczek and historian Karl Heinemeyer are pleased about this chance find, which invites research into the history of sausages. But who is in charge when it comes to the oldest bratwurst restaurant?

The Regensburg restaurant “Wurstkuchl” claims this title, with a documentary mention from 1378. A piece of history that strongly points to the tradition of bratwurst. Every year, the operators grill over a million homemade sausages over charcoal and delight up to 1,000 guests per day, as a look at the reporting from Merkur shows. History comes to life here, while the Wurstkuchl offers not only sausage, but also Bavarian comfort - with sauerkraut, mustard and fine potato soup.

The Wurstkuchl and its heritage

The origins of the Wurstkuchl go back to the 12th century. Workers found food there during the construction of the impressive Stone Bridge. Even though history is marked by floods, there is hardly anything that could stop the Wurstkuchl. Andreas Meier, the sixth generation landlord, and his family do everything they can to carry on the family legacy. “We grill hundreds of sausages every day!” says the mother, who actively helps in the kitchen on Saturdays.

Nevertheless, the competition does not sleep. In Arnstadt, in 1404, an invoice for “1 groschen for bratwurst casings” was documented as the first evidence of bratwursts. A Nuremberg document from around 1313 mentions loin meat, but no specific sausages. “The Nuremberg bratwurst tradition began in the 14th century,” experts clarify.

A clear winner?

However, it is not the case that the Wurstkuchl team is impressed by new discoveries in Erfurt. Landlady Alexandra Meier emphasizes the quality of her products and is convinced that the superior taste of her sausage is not defined by certificates, but by her own craftsmanship. After all, there is currently no restaurant in Erfurt that could claim the title of the oldest bratwurst restaurant.

The more important question remains: Who has the best recipe for this German specialty? Historical records from Frankfurt show that bratwursts were reported as early as 1487, and Frankfurters themselves began calling their sausages “coronation sausages.” These cultural elements clearly demonstrate the popularity of this dish, which has made a name for itself over the centuries not only in Germany but also far beyond, as the Chronik Bratwurst documents.

So the dispute over the oldest bratwurst restaurant remains exciting. A standout feature of German culture is undoubtedly the bratwurst - and the curiosity about where it actually comes from will probably always exist. Whether you feasted on your first bratwurst in Regensburg or Erfurt remains a tasty mystery.