Today I'm going to talk about German groceries stores and the things that I really like about them. In my town we have a grocery store called the Netto. It's not a huge grocery store but the only one in my town and it has some pretty cool products. Here are some of my favorites and for several reasons.
Bavarian Pretzels
Some things just don't need explanation. Bavarian pretzels are usually awesome if they are right out of the oven!
Produce Section
The produce section is always fresh and usually local. They have most things you'd be able to identify but somehow their veggies tastes slightly different because of how they are grown. Germany has a long history of organic farming and many of the fruits and veggies here are organic! Netto is a smaller chain so their stock is more limited but there are still some great buys.
Bakery
The bakery section is where you can find your fresh baked breads and pastries. I love Germany pastries because they aren't as sweet and don't contain as much sugar as American pastries.
Mixes for Everything
There are mixes and spice packages for anything you want to make. And they are cheap! I don't even think you can find something for 25 cents (though these prices are all in Euro) for something at an American grocery store besides Ramen.
They Have Cereals I can no Longer Find Stateside
Cookie Crisps? I can't even find this stuff in the States anymore, though I used to eat it all the time when I was little. Or maybe they do have it and I can never find it. Weird, but I'll take it.
Crazy Cheap Toilet Paper and Paper Towels
It must mean that I'm old if I'm getting excited to talk about toilet paper, but the groceries stores here have really cheap stuff! For less than $2 I can get toilet paper while paying maybe $8 for American toilet paper. Who wants to pay $8 for toilet paper??? I don't even want to think about toilet paper. Moving on.
Chocolate!
Every German grocery store has a fabulous assortment of chocolate. Good quality chocolate. And Haribo Gummy Bears which are made in Germany. Every time I go to the grocery store it's like being in Charlie and Chocolate Factory.
Hugo
This stuff is amazing. It's like a wine spritzer with mint. It's my German version of Moscato although this drink originates from Italy. The word Hugo might be a play on the Spanish (and possibly Italian?) work Jugo which means juice. It's pretty awesome and look at the price for one bottle. Very cheap! Most wines at German grocery stores are less than 3 Euro!
This Combination of Snacking Foods
There is something about this combination of foods that I love. The cream cheese here is made with goat cheese which I love. It's seriously good on everything from bread to crackers to veggies. It comes in a couple of flavors and nothing I've found in the states compares.
A Couple of Other Differences About German Grocery Stores
I thought it was worth mentioning some other differences about German groceries stores.
1) You'll need to bring your own bag or basket. They don't use wasteful bags like in America. There is the option but many of the smallers stores don't even offer them.
2) Beef and Chicken is not the prefered meat although you can find it in the grocery store. Pork is by far the preferred meat by Germans.
3) Many grocery stores make you deposit a coin to get a cart. You get it back when you return the cart. Great idea because it eliminates the lazy people who leave their carts all over the place.
4) You can get great quality flowers for a low price usually any time of year at the grocery stores.
5) A lot of what I showed looked cheap in price but don't be fooled. The American Dollar doesn't go a long way with the Euro.
Are you surprised by any of the differences at German grocery stores between the USA or other countries? What are some of the differences in your country?
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Lost in Travels for the Expat Diaries Linkup below. Go ahead and share your travel and expat related links!
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