Bratwurst facts for kids
Bratwurst is a popular type of sausage that comes from Germany. It is usually made from pork or beef, and sometimes even veal. People all over the world enjoy eating bratwurst!
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What "Bratwurst" Means
The word Bratwurst comes from the German language. It's made of two parts:
- Brät comes from an old German word that meant hacked meat.
- Wurst simply means sausage.
So, Bratwurst basically means "hacked meat sausage."
Where Bratwurst Started
Even though sausages like it might have existed before, the German Bratwurst we know today first came from a region in Germany called Franconia. This area is known for its long history of making delicious sausages.
Different Kinds of German Bratwurst
Germany has many different types of bratwurst, and each one is special! Here are some of the most famous ones:
- Coburger Bratwurst: This sausage comes from the city of Coburg in Bavaria. It has at least 15% veal or beef. It's seasoned with salt, pepper, nutmeg, and lemon zest. It's about 10 inches long and is often grilled over pinecones.
- Fränkische Bratwurst: This is a longer, thicker sausage from the Franconia region. It has been made since 1573! People usually eat it with sauerkraut or potato salad, but without mustard.
- Kulmbacher Bratwurst: From the city of Kulmbach, this bratwurst is mostly made from finely ground veal. These sausages are long and thin.
- Nürnberger Rostbratwurst: This is a very small, thin bratwurst from Nuremberg. It's only about 3-4 inches long and weighs about 1 ounce. People often eat them in groups of 6 or 12 with horseradish and sauerkraut or potato salad.
- Nordhessische Bratwurst: This sausage from Northern Hesse tastes a bit like the Thüringer Rostbratwurst. It's made from coarsely ground pork and has lots of seasoning. It's about 8 inches long and is often grilled over a wood fire.
- Rote Wurst: A favorite from the Swabian region, the Rote Wurst is made from finely ground pork and bacon. It has a spicy taste. To keep it from splitting when cooked, an "X" is cut into its ends.
- Thüringer Rostbratwurst: This is a spicy, long (6-8 inches) and thin sausage from Thuringia. It's traditionally grilled over a wood fire and eaten with mustard and bread.
- Würzburger Bratwurst: Also called the Winzerbratwurst, this sausage comes from Würzburg. It's similar in size to the Thüringer Rostbratwurst, but it includes white Franken wine in its ingredients!
A "Bratwurst meal" often includes sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, and roasted onions. Sometimes, it's also served with a potato sauce or a potato salad.
How Bratwurst is Cooked
Today, most bratwursts are cooked by roasting them, often on a grill. Some types might be cooked a little bit beforehand. Sausages made from raw meat that aren't cooked before eating are usually not called bratwurst.
How People Enjoy Bratwurst
Bratwurst is usually eaten with a hot or sweet German mustard. Sometimes, it's sliced and served as Currywurst. It's almost always served with a hard German roll and often with a beer (for adults). It's a very popular snack in German-speaking countries, sold at fast food places and often eaten while standing.
Bratwurst in the United States
In the United States, bratwursts are usually eaten in a hot dog bun or a hard roll. People often add mustard or other toppings like grilled onions, relish, or sauerkraut. Sometimes, two bratwursts are put in one roll, which is called a 'double brat'.
Bratwurst is very popular in areas of the Midwestern United States where many German Americans settled. Places like Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Sheboygan, Wisconsin, are especially known for their love of bratwurst. Sheboygan is even called the Bratwurst Capital of the World!
Johnsonville Foods, a big bratwurst maker, is based in Johnsonville, Wisconsin. Sheboygan also has a festival called Sheboygan Bratwurst Days every August. Other famous Wisconsin bratwurst makers include Klement's Sausage Company and Usinger's.
The city of Madison, Wisconsin, hosts the World's Largest Brat Fest every year. This four-day event sells thousands of brats to raise money for charity. In 2004, they sold a record 189,432 brats!
Another town with German roots, Bucyrus, Ohio, is famous for its unique bratwurst recipe that includes fennel. They hold a bratwurst festival every August that attracts over 100,000 visitors.
In the US, bratwursts are often just called brats.
Images for kids
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Bratwurst, a bread roll, and beer, served in Hohenems, Vorarlberg, Austria.
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Fränkische Bratwurst
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Nürnberger Bratwurst with sauerkraut and mustard, as served in the Nürnberger Bratwurst Glöckl in Munich.
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Rote Wurst
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Nürnberger Rostbratwurst
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Drei im Weggla (Three in a bun).
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Blaue Zipfel mit Brezel (Blue tails with pretzel).
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Thüringer Rostbratwurst in a bun with mustard.
See also
In Spanish: Bratwurst para niños
