Football Gummis

I miss the World Cup already. It was a fun summer of celebration, biergartens, and public viewings. Plus, it was the one of the rare times that Americans could wear flags abroad and Germans could display national pride. 

Luckily we still have the Football Mix of gummis.  Though with only 3 flavors and 4 shapes, it's nowhere near the diversity of the Sea Creature mix or the German national team. But still tasty, and better yet, the black is a berry flavor, not licorice.

Qualifying has already begun for the Euro Cup 2012, which in Europe can feel almost as big. It generally involves public viewings, dismissing work early to see Germany's games, and the office betting pool.  A lot like March Madness, actually.

We don't yet have the big screens set up in squares, but the pubs are all showing the games and Germany is off to a good start!

Oktoberfest Gummis

In honor of Oktoberfest, The Bavaria Mix:    

 

Gummi Bears

After beer and cars, gummi bears are one of Germany’s biggest contributions to the world.  Einstein and Martin Luther were pretty influential too, but everyone loves Hans Riegel and his little Gold Bears!

They’re everywhere – bears instead of mints at restaurants, blue peppermint gummi bears on my pillow in a hotel, and reportedly free in the German parliament’s cafeteria (legend has it Konrad Adenauer was never without them). 

You can find Trolli and HARIBO (founded by Hans Riegel from Bonn, Germany) brands in most food stores, but there are many dedicated gummi bear stores.  They come in every shape and flavor, even wine gummis, prosecco gummis, vegetarian and halal, sugar-free, and vitamin-packed gummis for the kiddos. Something for everyone...

I live above Bears and Friends. They specialize in gummis made in Bavaria from select ingredients, with real fruit juice and no artificial dyes. Both the “made in Bavaria” and the natural ingredients aspects go a long way here, but those are topics for another day...   

Animal, vegetable, mineral – they have it all. Even some NSFW gummis, two words I didn’t expect to hear together. For now I’ll leave you with the Sea Creature Gummis. The sharks were really tasty!

Meerestiere ("Sea Creatures")