Top 4 Best Local Foods and Drinks in Leipzig You Have to Try

Have you been thinking what are the best local foods and drinks in Leipzig that you should try? Well, you’re in a right place!

The way to the heart is through the stomach! A clever saying that developed from the idea that love blossoms when a partner is good in the kitchen. It has been used for centuries – also in Leipzig. You will soon realize that Leipzig is a city for connoisseurs, where you can relax with family and friends over foods and drinks. The palate says thank you.

 

For centuries guests have enjoyed many culinary specialities in the cosmopolitan metropolis, from a “Scheelchen Heeßen” (cup of coffee), to the vegetable dish “Leipziger Allerlei” and not forgetting the top-fermented beer speciality “Gose”. Whether historic restaurants or Zeitgeistkneipen, everywhere offers excellent opportunities to dine and communicate. But what is “typical Leipzig” exactly? The following selection of specialities will help to answer this question. It becomes clear that Leipzig’s culinary delights are quiet surprising.

1. Gose

©BeerAwareness

Gose is a German beer style that is usually brewed with the addition of salt, and it is traditionally spiced with coriander. It is characterized by medium sourness, malt and yeast aromas, as well as fruity and salty nuances. It is not known when the style was created, but evidence suggests it was already familiar in the 15th century.

 

Although the style originated in Goslar, in the 18th century, it became a mainstay in Leipzig, where the brewers started producing it, and where it eventually found its spiritual home. Throughout the 19th century, the style was incredibly popular, and Leipzig was even dubbed as the Gose city.

 

Despite its popularity, by 1966, the style completely disappeared. It was reintroduced in the late 1990s by Leipzig brewers, and its reinterpretations are nowadays also produced outside its native location. Although traditional Gose was spontaneously fermented, modern versions are more controlled and usually fermented with ale yeasts and Lactobacillus.

Because of its tart and crisp character, this style is an excellent pairing with seafood, light poultry dishes, citrus flavors, and cheese.

2. Leipzig Allerlei

©Reddit

As the name suggests, this German specialty hails from Leipzig, and it is typically based on a mix of vegetables. The dish usually consists of a combination of young vegetables, crayfish tails, morel mushrooms, and bread dumplings which are doused in a creamy, buttery sauce.

 

Typical vegetables used in the preparation of this regional dish include carrots, asparagus, kohlrabi, cauliflower, and peas. Leipziger allerlei is traditionally enjoyed in May and June, either as a main course or a side, and it is often sprinkled with freshly chopped parsley or chervil on top.

It is believed that this humble dish originated in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars as a protective measure against thieves, beggars, and tax collectors, when the citizens were asked to offer only vegetable-based dishes in order to create a false image of impoverishment.

3. Lausitzer Leinöl

©TasteAtlas

As the name suggests, Lausitz linseed oil hails from Oberlausitz, a region stretching from the Spreewald on the Polish border to the Zittau Mountains on the Czech border. Lausitz linseed oil is pressed from fresh linseed, and it has a distinctive nutty flavor and a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Lausitz linseed oil should not be heated, and should only be used to season food. In the art world, linseed oil serves as an excellent binder for oil paints.

4. Oberlausitzer Biokarpfen

©TasteAtlas

Carp from the Oberlausitz region are among the most environmentally-friendly farmed freshwater fish. The natural ponds of Oberlausitz, on Germany’s border with Poland and the Czech Republic, have been used for fish farming since the Middle Ages.

 

Particular emphasis is placed on the conservation of the biodiversity of plants and animals in and around these ponds. The carp feed mainly on natural food from the ponds, such as water fleas or small fish. This healthy diet ensures great tasting, high-quality fish.

 

Organic carp are few in number, so they have plenty of living space within their pond habitats and are able to find more natural food. Organic carp may be somewhat smaller than non-organic carp at the same age, but they also have less fat and is are more flavorful than naturally grown ‘conventional’ carp due to their natural diet.

This farmed carp has little fat, a low cholesterol content, and is rich in protein. In addition, it contains a variety of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and iron, making it a nutritious choice for a healthy diet.

 

So, these are the top 4 best foods and drinks in Leipzig you should definitely try when you visit Leipzig soon. We’re pretty sure that you will definitely love these one!

Which among the four have you tried so far? If none, which of them do you like the most? Please let us know in the comment section below. Thanks!