A historical dispute has emerged between Bavaria and Thuringia over the origins of the beloved Bratwurst sausage, dating back centuries.
The Great Bratwurst Battle: Bavaria vs. Thuringia Claims Sausage Supremacy
The Great Bratwurst Battle: Bavaria vs. Thuringia Claims Sausage Supremacy
A culinary feud ignites between two German states, each claiming the title of the original Bratwurst inventor.
A controversy has erupted as Bavaria and Thuringia engage in a heated debate over who can rightfully claim the invention of the iconic Bratwurst sausage. The “Wurstkuchl” tavern in Bavaria has long touted itself as "the oldest Bratwurst stand in the world," with historical roots traced back to a document from 1378 concerning food stalls at the Stone Bridge in Regensburg.
However, recent discoveries by historians in Thuringia’s capital city of Erfurt revealed an even older document from 1269, which mentions a meat-roasting stand (Brathütte) and could potentially give Thuringia the edge in this tasty battle. Historians are now on a quest to locate the exact site of this historic sausage stand in Erfurt, though no eatery has yet claimed the title.
Prior to this find, the earliest written reference to a Bratwurst had been recorded in 1404 in Arnstadt, Thuringia, discussing expenses for bratwurst casings. Meanwhile, the Wurstkuchl continues its sausage-making tradition, emphasizing that much of their preparation remains unchanged since the Middle Ages, including the use of pure pork, homemade sausages, and their signature mustard.
In a light-hearted response to the newfound evidence, Wurstkuchl’s landlady, Alexandra Meier, stated in an interview with German BR24 TV that the revelation doesn’t concern her, as patrons are drawn to the quality of their products rather than titles. This isn’t the first dispute over Bratwurst supremacy; the Bavarian towns of Regensburg and Nuremberg recently went head-to-head for the title of the oldest sausage stand, with Regensburg ultimately prevailing.
