Who invented sauerkraut?
The famous Alsatian dish would ultimately not be so Alsatian... A look back at a dish with unknown origins.
Sauerkraut is mistakenly thought to be an Alsatian invention. However, the famous dish actually comes from Asia! In the 3rd century BC, workers toiled away building the Great Wall of China in the cold. But the winter is particularly harsh and the workers have to take refuge, leaving their food. Several months later, they return to the construction site and find that their cabbages have fermented under the snow.
It is said that it was the invaders (Huns, Mongols, Tatars… we don't know) who transmitted the recipe to Europe. After trying to conquer the Wall, they went west to Europe. In their luggage, they would have carried wooden barrels with fermented cabbage inside. They arrived in Alsace around the year 451, after having done quite a bit of damage on their way, but left this recipe behind.
But as often in history, well, there is not just one story... In fact, cabbage has already existed in the wild in Europe for 4,000 years. The Romans and Greeks fermented it into wine. However, it was not until the 16th century that the Germans invented brined sauerkraut (brine is a mixture of water and salt which allows food to be preserved). This discovery made, the Germans baptized the preparation “sauerkraut” (= sour cabbage) which becomes “choucroute” in French.
Very well known in Alsace, it was not until the 18th century that sauerkraut became a dish appreciated by gourmets from all over France. It is gradually appearing in recipe books and is the pride of Alsatians.
So much so that during the Prussian War in 1870 (France VS Germany), eating it was an act of patriotism. The reason is simple: Alsace has just been ceded to the German Empire, which is causing an exodus of Alsatians throughout France.
Among them, Léonard and Pétronille Lipp who opened a brasserie on Boulevard Saint-Germain. The dish was exported and became a symbol of resistance against the German invader.
Sauerkraut stuffed with Riesling - 1kg
Price
€23.55
