A dispute has emerged between the German states of Bavaria and Thuringia regarding the rightful origin of the Bratwurst sausage, a cherished staple of German cuisine. The Bavarian establishment, Wurstkuchl, touts itself as the "oldest Bratwurst stand in the world," located on the Stone Bridge in Regensburg along the Danube River. The tavern's heritage can be traced back to an earliest documented reference around 1378.
However, historians in Thuringia's capital, Erfurt, have discovered a 1269 document that refers to individuals operating a meat-roasting establishment with a roasting pan, predating the Bavarian claim by over a century. This new finding has sparked a quest to identify the original site of the alleged sausage stand in Erfurt, as no establishment in the area has yet claimed this title.
Previously, the earliest written reference for Bratwurst in Thuringia dated to 1404, concerning expenses for sausage casings in Arnstadt. Meanwhile, Wurstkuchl continues to uphold its reputation, offering traditional sausages made from pure pork ham, complemented by their homemade sauerkraut and mustard since the Middle Ages. The landlady of Wurstkuchl, Alexandra Meier, expressed her indifference towards the claim from Thuringia. She emphasized the pride her family takes in producing quality sausages and doubts customers would boycott their establishment over its revised rank.
This incident isn't the first instance of rivalry regarding Bratwurst, as earlier contentions had arisen between Regensburg and Nuremberg about who had the oldest sausage stand, with a decision eventually favoring Regensburg. As the Bratwurst saga unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the culinary pride that bifurcates German states and celebrates their diverse gastronomical heritage.
