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Christmas Beverages

Gemmerbier

  • 4.5 liter water
  • 28 g gingerroot crushed
  • 500 ml sugar
  • 15 ml active dry yeast or 1 cube of yeast
  • 5 ml sugar for the yeast mix
  • 250 ml lukewarm water
  • one lemon
  1. Boil the water and add ginger and sugar.
  2. Stir until the sugar is dissolved
  3.  Pour it in an enameled can or bucket, and let it cool until lukewarm
  4. mix the yeast,  the 5  ml of sugar and lukewarm water
  5. Let it stand in a warm place for 5 – 10 minutes until it starts to ferment
  6. Add the yeast mixture to the ginger mixture
  7. Cut the lemon into slices and add it to the mixture
  8. Let it stand for 24 hours
  9. Strain it through a clean damp cloth and pour it into clean bottles. Do not fill the bottles to the top, but leave some space available
  10. It will be ready in two or three days
  11.  Keep an eye on the bottles and turn it now and again

Old Gingerbeer recipe

I am sharing this old recipe, for those who can get their hands on Lennon’s Jamaika Gemmer 

  • 9 liter water
  • 7 – 8 koppies (250ml elk) suiker
  • 10 ml kitssuurdeeg
  • Rosyntjies
  • 20 ml Jamaika gemmer
  • Bottels met proppies
  1. Meng alles behalwe die rosyntjies saam tot die suiker opgelos is.
  2. Plaas so 5 rosyntjies in elke bottel en vul dit 3/4 met die gemmerbier
  3. Draai die botel proppies losweg op
  4. Laat staan 1 dag in warm weer of twee dae in koue weer
  5. Draai bottel proppies styf to en plaas in die yskas

Related content

German Christmas Recipes

Baking cookies for Christmas is what childhood memories are made of. We will list some websites here where you can find authentic Christmas recipes.  Typical Christmas food Zimtsterne Pfeffernüsse  Vanillekipferl Lebkuchen  Ausstechplätzchen (cut out cookies) Spekulatius Spritzgebäck Linzer Plätzchen Kokosmakronen Dominosteine Engelsaugen Rumkugeln Stollen Spitsbuben Glühwein.  Eierpunsch.  Heiße Schokolade (preferably spiked with some rum!)  Feuerzangenbowle.  Jagertee.  Glühbier.  Grog. Kinderpunsch Roasted Goose Red cabbage Dumplings Roasted Rosenkohl List of websites German Culture  – Christmas Recipes German girl in America – Christmas Dinner My best German Recipes  Days Christmas 2021

German Christmas Traditions

St. Nicholas Day St Nicholas Day, known as Nikolaustag in Germany, is celebrated on the 6th of December. Children leave a pair of cleaned boots outside their door on the evening of the 5th. The boots are then filled with sweets and small gifts. According to legend, Nicholas of Myra gave a poor father money in order to prevent his daughters from being taken into slavery, as the father did not have the funds for his daughters’ dowries. He threw the money through the family’s window, which landed in their shoes, which were drying near their fireplace. Days until Nikolastag Advent Advent is celebrated on the 4 Sundays before Christmas. It is a Christian tradition to prepare for the arrival or coming of Jesus Christ.The first Advent is the first Sunday after 26 November.  Advent wreaths have four large candles, which represent the four weeks of Advent and one candle is lit each Sunday. Families spend some quiet and reflective time together and sing Christmas carols. Drinking and eating typical Christmas food like Stollen, Glühwein (mulled wine), roasted almonds and chestnuts The first candle represents Hope, the second Faith, the third Joy and the final candle Peace.  Advent Calendar The Advent calendar counts down the four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. Every day a new door of the calendar is opened to reveal a small chocolate or a gift. Originally they concealed a picture or bible verse. Christmas Tree (Tannenbaum) The first known Christmas tree was set up in 1419 in Freiburg by the town bakers They decorated the tree with fruits, nuts, and baked goods, which the children were allowed to remove and eat on New Year’s Day. In Germany, you set up and decorate the tree on Christmas Eve. It is traditional to use a real fir tree. The tree is taken down in January and there are specific days for disposal Christmas markets Most town squares transform into beautiful Christmas markets. Traditionally there will be a big Christmas tree and Nativity scene (Krippe). Additionally, there are where you can buy delicious food, warm drinks and handmade gifts. It is a wonderful place to meet up with friends for some Glühwein while listening to carol singers   Krippe The nativity scene is called a Krippe. It is usually put up in homes, churches and Christmas markets. You can buy the individual pieces at Christmas markets. Look for wooden hand made pieces Weinachtspyramide A wooden carousel with angels and a nativity scene. It has several levels and spins with the help of heat from candles. The larger ones you find at Christmas markets work with electricity Nutcracker dolls Nutcracker dolls originate from late-17th century Germany, particularly the Ore Mountains (German: Erzgebirge) region.The average handmade Nutcracker doll is made from 60 separate pieces and it takes a great deal of time and effort to bring them to life. Every detail of the doll is carefully crafted, from the hair to the clothes and everything in between.  They are made to resemble a toy soldier.Traditional Nutcrackers were functional and used to crack nuts, modern ones are more decorative. Schwibbogen Also called a Lichterbogen, is a beautiful decorative arch originating from the Ore Mountains in Germany. The Schwibbogen is traditionally made of wood and features intricate cut-out designs, often depicting scenes from daily life or folklore. They are illuminated with candles or electric lights, creating a cosy and festive atmosphere.  They also hold cultural significance for the people of the Ore Mountains. The Schwibbogen is believed to symbolize a coal mine’s entrance, highlighting the region’s important mining history. Additionally, many Schwibbogen feature religious motifs, representing the Christian roots of the Ore Mountain communities. Christmas Eve Time to set up the tree, enjoy a simple meal with family and exchange gifts.The traditional meal for the 24th consists of carp, boiled potatoes, cucumber salad and lemon slices. Another alternative is Sausages with potato salad  Christmas Day Many families attend church services and sing traditional Christmas carolsA large meal is traditionally eaten in the afternoon or early evening. Typical dishes include Roast goose or duck stuffed with apples, chestnuts, onions or prunes. Dumplings and Red cabbage with onions and apples are served as side dishes. Days until Christmas

Substitutes – Other Products

Here is a list of substitutes and translations for general food and kitchen items like cling film, maize meal, custard and biscuits    Related content Where to buy South African products

Where to buy South African products

Die Spens Eindhoven

Die Spens is the largest South African shop in the EU. With more than a 1500 products available from South Africa as well as products from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Namibia & Australia. With 2 shops located in the Netherlands: Amersfoort & Eindhoven. Located close to the highway and easily reachable from all over the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Come and have a look at all the well known South African favourites, like Mrs Balls Chutney, Sparletta Creme Soda, Simba Chips, Ouma Rusks, Koo Sweetcorn, Iwisa Maize Meal, Robertsons spices, Biltong & Boerewors to name a few. You can walk in and shop 7 days a week! Or feel free to shop from the comfort of your own home by using our webshop. We post to all EU countries as well as Norway & Switzerland.

A Taste of Opera

South African online wine shop in Berlin selling the finest wines at the best prices. Order as a gift or simply to enjoy yourself – delivered straight to your doorstep in Berlin. These wines are innovatively paired with opera pieces – similar to a wine and cheese pairing, but with music! Cheers!

SA Food Store

We believe that our South African communities in Europe should have convenient and affordable access to all their favourite South African products, no matter where they are based. So, we have brought together a group of South African expats who are searching for flavours of home. We are proud to represent South African products and bring the taste of South Africa to our fellow Saffas and friends. Products: Biscuits like GingerNuts, Romany Rusks, Tennis and many more Canned Foods and spreads like Chakalaka, Marmite, Braai Relish, Creamstyle Sweetcorn and many more Drinks and mixers like Oros, Five Roses, Joke Coffee Spices & Sauces like Mrs Balls, Ina Paarman Sauces, Perinaise and Spur sauces Sweet and Crisps like Marshmallows, Chipniks, Nik Naks, Big Korn Bites, Ghost Pops and Cheese curls

Christys Küche

  Hi, I’m Christy, a South African living in Düsseldorf since 2018. Prior to leaving SA, I ran my own catering business. I also had my own restaurant, KOMBUIS in Melville, which specialised in traditional SA dishes. Although we love living in Germany, we miss South African food terribly. So, we decided to start our own small business, offering homemade favourites like biltong, chilli bites, bobotie, koeksisters, Hertzoggies etc. I can also cater to special requests, e.g. for dinners or get-togethers. Unlike other conventional retail stores or restaurants, we don’t have the space or resources to hold stock… at least, not yet! So, we make our food on order. Our turnaround is anything from 1-5 days depending on the item (e.g. biltong needs to hang for 5 days). Our customers can text, call, or email their order, and we give them a timeframe and arrange collection/delivery. At present we are catering to the Düsseldorf area only, to guarantee freshness and avoid additional shipping costs and risks.

Sonja Kohlöffel – Gem Squash

Gem Squash tastes just like home Postal orders 6kg total cost for postage and packaging is 20€ Collections in either Ulm or Bad Waldsee cost 5kg is 10€ Please email sonjakohloffel@gmail.com with orders by no later than close of business on Fridays Orders will be sent out on Monday morning. Thank you for your support

Outer Africa

Restaurant and shop Here you will find the best of what the amazing and intriguing continent of Africa has to offer – in particular from the Rainbow nation of South Africa (our homeland!!). From a huge selection of professional wildlife photographs, to ornaments, jewellery and home decor items, and from traditional food to tribal handcrafts, we have it all for you! Our products have been ethically sourced, and a percentage of the profits are re-invested into the people and charitable projects in the region. We also support and promote other small businesses and private individuals who share our beliefs and values.