German Sandwich Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

German Sandwich Day is celebrated on September 29, and there is so much to like about it that, despite our best efforts, we may run out of superlatives to adequately characterize the occasion. But where, oh where do we start? With an appetite, obviously!, on! And with the fundamentals — that is, a brief look at the inspiration for this celebration, an item that is both beautiful and delicious in its simplicity: the Butterbrot, which literally translates to “butter bread” in German. The Butterbrot is precisely what it sounds like: butter on bread. And it is consumed at all hours of the day, but notably on German Sandwich Day.

The background of German Sandwich Day

Regardless of your level of culinary sophistication, you will likely find that the simple, classic, and timeless Butterbrot is just as gratifying as anything more modern and/or complex. This is our favorite holiday because… well, we’re famished and we have everything we need to make a Butterbrot right now. Please excuse us while we butter our toast and search for a finishing ingredient. Not eating meat? No worries. Do you prefer rye to pumpernickel? Who is going to stop you? Have a favorite mustard variety? Or do you favor the traditional Butter and Brot? You may choose from cold cuts, cooked cuts, or none at all.

Yes, the humble Butterbrot can be prepared with any type of bread and/or condiments. Just remember to keep the item comparatively simple when you create it. (And you can certainly roast it!) People have been eating sandwiches for millennia, long before John Montagu (the fourth Earl of Sandwich) is said to have demanded this simple food item to help fill his stomach during lengthy hours of gambling. Indulging in the German variant of this popular dish is to partake in a human tradition that traces back to the dawn of civilization. Hillel the Elder, a Jewish sage, is said to have invented the sandwich for Passover.

Peasants use thick portions of stale bread known as “trenchers” as edible plates. The term “sandwich” first appears in Edward Gibbon’s journal, where it is attributed to John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. Eventually, he composed “The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.” The Marketing Organization of German Agricultural Industries has designated the last Friday of September as “Tag des Deutschen Butterbrotes” (Day of German Sandwiches). (The literal translation of Butterbrot is “buttered bread.”)

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DAY OF THE GERMAN SANDWICH ACTIVITIES

Spread that butter!

We like to kick off German Sandwich Day with the German cultural titan Butterbrot. This feels like a ceremonial beginning to the party. However, we occasionally like to make our Butterbrot a bit more substantial. Once more, we begin with the bread. Then, we select our preferred fillings, which include meats, cheeses, vegetables, sauerkraut, pickles, additional cheese, potatoes, additional meat, mustard, and pickles. This item is stacked Dagwood Bumstead-style, and a Butterbrot is made for the genuine gourmet. Good appetite!

Feast while watching a film

After creating the perfect German sandwich, recline on the sofa and watch a German classic film. From the silent era (“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”) to the present day (“The Lives of Others”) and beyond, there is an abundance of grandeur to choose from.

Divide up the riches

Create a list of the preferred ingredients of your family and friends, then surprise them with a sit-down meal. As we have repeatedly emphasized, there is no limit to the combinations that can be created so that everyone can begin to identify their preferred German sandwich.

FACTS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT GERMANY AND SANDWICHES

The largest sandwich ever produced, according to the Guinness World Records, weighed 5,440 pounds. It contained 1,032 kilograms of corned beef and 530 kilograms of cheese. Open your arms!

The Doner is a popular street cuisine sandwich in Germany that originated in Turkey.

A popular sandwich in Northern Germany is the Fischbrotchen, which is typically composed with herring, onions, pickles, horseradish sauce and ketchup.

GERMAN SANDWICH DAY DATES