7 Festive Foods to Enjoy at the European Christmas Markets

Indulging in rich and delicious food and drink is a quintessential part of the experience when you visit traditional European Christmas Markets. Truth be known, it is the coldest time of year in Europe and when you come from the Southern Hemisphere you will be feeling it. Layered clothing and a warm coat will keep the weather out and sampling the warm winter snacks and drinks will warm you on the inside while the festival atmosphere will warm your heart.

Sample these 7 festive foods when you visit the European Christmas Markets.

Roasted Chestnuts

You may enjoy the sweet, earthy taste of warm roasted chestnuts but biting into your first will be a surprise. Once you pull the nut from the husk and take your first bite you will discover this unique spongy nut is more akin to a root vegetable than a nut in flavour. A popular snack and traditional source of warming carbohydrates during the winter months, roasting chestnuts on the open fire is an age old Christmas tradition across Europe. You can smell the aroma as you wander the stalls, follow your nose to the vendor for a truly European festive taste.

Gluhwein or Kinder Punch

Glühwein is traditionally served at stalls of Christmas Markets across Germany and Austria to keep people warm as they shop and socialize. This warm syrupy drink, made with cinnamon, oranges, cloves infused in red wine is a Christmas Market staple. Breathe in the warming aromas and warm your hands on a mug of Gluhwein or its non-alcoholic twin Kinder Punch. An age old recipe to celebrate the flavours and spirit of the Festive season, you can sample gluhwein on the German Fairytale Christmas Tour.

Panettone

Originating from Milan, panettone is a tall traditional sweet Italian fruit loaf enjoyed at Christmas and New Year. More like a bread than a fruit cake, panettone literally means big bread and the dough is prepared in a similar way to a sourdough loaf. Packed with dried and candied fruits and a citrus zest from oranges and lemons panettone is served as a dessert but is not overly sweet. The appearance of the tall red boxes that hold the eight inch high load heralds the festive season in Italy and throughout Europe. You can enjoy panettone on the 11 day Christmas in an Italian Castle.

Swiss Hot Chocolate

With their world renowned expertise as chocolatiers, you know that Swiss hot chocolate will be rich in flavour and a delicious warmer as you explore the Christmas stalls. Like coffee roasting, the preparation of hot chocolate differs from vendor to vendor. The cold weather will leave you sampling several, derived from both dark and milk chocolate. Some flavoured with peppercorns, many adorned with thick milk froth and marshmallow. A great treat, an essential winter warmer and a must try, in among the many other chocolate treats you will find during a Swiss New Year Holiday.

Bratwurst

You cant visit the German Christmas markets without eating your weight in Bratwurst sausages! This ultimate German market food is made from veal, beef, or most commonly pork and is served warm on a bread roll topped with the best tasting sauerkraut. Visit any of the German Christmas Markets. Sample a Bratwurst at any of the German Christmas Markets you visit on the German & Austrian Christmas Markets Tour. If it is your first, you can be guaranteed it will be the first of many! Enjoy!

Váno?ní Cukroví – Christmas Sweets

You will find Czech Christmas cookies at many European Christmas Market. Baking buttery biscuits or tarts for the festive season is a Czech Republic tradition. each family traditionally has their own style for shaping, filling and decorating their cookies on how they cut, fill and decorate their cookies, which they give as gifts. You will find these decorative treats in sold in boxes at one of the many Prague Christmas Markets. You might not get far before the box is empty! Enjoy Prague at Christmas time on a Bohemian Christmas Markets Tour.

Preztels

Europeans love their bread and the European pretzel is another doughy experience to add to your winter sampler. More bread than biscuit you will see pretzel stacked on counters, hanging on pegs and tiered like quoits on the counters of stalls at the European Christmas markets. Served warm, straight from the oven eat the looped bread on its own or dip it into a warming cup of soup or stew. The humble European pretzel is bound to be a favourite savoury snack as you wander the stalls looking for Christmas trinkets.

When it comes to Christmas, Europe is the place for age old traditions that go hand in hand with the festive spirit. The food and drink you will find at the Christmas Markets will be a highlight of your festive European tour. Enjoy it while you are there and bring new trinkets home for your tree.