Bismarck herring facts for kids
The Bismarck herring is a special kind of pickled fish. It's made from fresh herring from the Baltic Sea. The fish are cleaned and their bones are removed (this is called filleted). Then, they are preserved in a tangy liquid, often with vinegar, which gives them a unique flavor. Traditionally, these tasty fish are packed in small wooden barrels.
A Famous Fish: How it Got its Name
The story of Bismarck herring begins in Stralsund, a town in Germany. A man named Johann Wiechmann owned a store there. His wife, Karoline, was very good at preparing the herring for sale.
Johann Wiechmann greatly admired a famous German leader named Otto von Bismarck. Bismarck was a very important person who helped unite many smaller German states into one big country called the German Empire. To show his respect, Wiechmann sent a barrel of his delicious herring to Bismarck on his birthday.
Later, when the German Empire was officially formed, Wiechmann sent another barrel of herring. This time, he asked if he could name his special herring after Bismarck. Bismarck agreed, and that's how the "Bismarck herring" got its name! The original recipe for Bismarck herring was sold for many years, even up until the end of World War II. The tradition was brought back to Stralsund in 1997, so people can still enjoy this historic fish today.
Images for kids
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Pickled herring served with sour cream, chives, potatoes, and egg.
