Hell might possibly be a German supermarket at 10am on a Saturday. Well that may be unfair, it’s probably true of supermarkets the world over, but the German supermarket experience is one which stands out to most foreigners, and not in a good way. I’m sure you’ve heard the jokes, maybe you’ve told a few too. Other customers breathing down your neck, produce flying through the check out at lightening speed and that one dodgy wheel on every available trolley.
On Saturday mornings, and usually one weekday morning (ours is Wednesday) the Wochenmarkt comes to town. Locally produced and seasonal are the bywords of the Wochenmarkt. Currently in season and selling like hot cakes is Bärlauch (wild garlic) and coming very soon is the famous Spargel (asparagus, Germany favours the white over the green in a big way) and my personal favourite Rhubarb . You’ll learn that Kale doesn’t appear until after the first frost and there are many more types of pumpkin than you ever thought possible.
One of my favourite local market stands – Photo – Alie
You’ll also find plants and flowers, also obviously seasonal too. At the moment you can pick up some sticks to display your Easter eggs on, buckets of Narzissen (daffodils), Stiefmutterchen (pansies) and bulbs for planting. In the next few weeks the tomato and veg plants will be available and a few heading for my garden.
Spring flowers and Easter branches for your hanging eggs in the background – Photo – Alie
Depending on your own market, I live in a fairly small town so the market is small, bigger towns and cities will get you more choice, you will also find a mix of butchers produce, dairy produce, breads and fish. Our local market also has a stall from our local flour mill, hello Bärlauch bread and Easter bread mix, as well as one from a local honey producer who makes lovely wax products as well as top notch honey and a Mediterranean stall where you can find dips and fresh pastas. As for eggs, bringing an old egg box is always met with a grateful smile around here.
The market is a great place to practice and learn useful everyday German. More than just the names of vegetables (which is obviously useful), weights and money it is about connecting with the community you live in. Going to the market every week means you end up bumping into neighbours and the same faces, at some point you too become a known face (I got a stamp card for the fruit and veg stand, 10 stamps and I get 20% off my shopping or 5kg of free potatoes). Who am I kidding? everyone in a small town knows the British couple with the cute dog, but it has really helped us settle into a small town in a way that frequenting a supermarket hasn’t.
The butcher always has a queue – Photo – Alie
⁃To find out where and when your closest market is check your local council website or just check out the Marktplatz (market place, the clue is in the name) on a Saturday morning
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