Dispute over the oldest bratwurst restaurant: Erfurt challenges Regensburg!

Dispute over the oldest bratwurst restaurant: Erfurt challenges Regensburg!

The world of sausages is simmering! Two historians from Erfurt, Thuringia, have unearthed a document from 1269 that could shake up the history of the bratwurst. As the South German newspaper reported, the evidence of a hut and a roaster on the Krämerbrücke in Erfurt could be interpreted as the oldest written evidence of a bratwurst stand. This casts a shadow over the proud status of the Historic Wurstkuchl in Regensburg, which has long been considered the “oldest bratwurst parlor in the world” and whose first written mention dates back to 1378.

But what does that mean for the Wurstkuchl? The landlady, Alexandra Meier, appears calm. She is convinced that the quality of her bratwursts and the many visitors to her restaurant do not depend on a title. “Whether we are the oldest or the second oldest doesn’t make much difference to us,” she says and smiles. In fact, not only bratwursts were popular in Regensburg in the Middle Ages, but also other delicacies such as boiled pork belly, as the records show.

A dispute with tradition

The newly discovered evidence from Thuringia could strengthen the region's claims to defend the bratwurst as a regional cultural asset. Because after Day24 the historic title is now being discussed again. The bratwurst was first mentioned in writing in Arnstadt in 1404, but loin meat is also mentioned in a Nuremberg document from 1313 - but not the bratwurst.

The Thuringian bratwurst has a long tradition. Its first documentary evidence was in a document from the Weimar State Library from 1404, where it was listed together with other meat products. In the following centuries, the sausage was refined further and the families in Thuringia passed down their production processes from generation to generation. Typical ingredients are fresh pork, marjoram, garlic, caraway, salt and pepper, while cooking on the grill over charcoal is still very popular, as is the case DSG service emphasized.

The Wurstkuchl remains true to itself

Despite the discussion about the oldest bratwurst restaurant, Wurstkuchl in Regensburg remains optimistic. The landlady is not affected by the uncertain outcome of the current debate: “We always have a lot of guests, and it will stay that way.” This shows that the true value of the bratwurst lies not in its age, but in its tradition and preparation. Whether Regensburg or Erfurt – one thing is certain: the bratwurst will continue to be a culinary highlight for many.

The discovery of the Erfurt document is another piece of the puzzle in the history of this popular type of sausage. It will be interesting to see how the disputes over bratwurst develop in the coming months. But one thing is certain: the competition for the oldest bratwurst house will make vegetables roast with laughter and the sausages glow!