Bratwurst dispute: Is the wolf sausage really a Thuringian tradition?

Bratwurst dispute: Is the wolf sausage really a Thuringian tradition?

Things are really bubbling up on social media at the moment: a Facebook post about the “Original Thuringian Rostbratwurst” from the Wolf meat shop has caused a stir among users. With over 1,200 comments and more than 2,000 reactions, the discussion has long since broken out. The occasion? A critical comment in which someone complains about how the product can be called “original” when it brews. This sparked a whole firework of opinions that brought both critics and defenders of the bratwurst to the scene - and the opinions couldn't be more different.

The sausage is traditionally produced in Thuringia, a fact that is secured by the EU seal for protected geographical indication (PGI). This seal not only guarantees geographical origin, but also compliance with traditional manufacturing processes, which is important for many consumers. The exact requirements are clearly defined: The Thuringian Rostbratwurst must be produced in Thuringia from high-quality raw materials and spices and has certain specifications regarding length, weight and fat content.

The tradition of the Thuringian bratwurst

The Wolf butcher's shop has a tradition going back over a hundred years and is located in Schwandorf, Bavaria, while production takes place in Schmölln and Jena. The discussion about bratwurst is all the more surprising. Critics from Thuringia themselves express themselves on social media: “Nobody in Thuringia would buy something like that,” it is reported. Such feedback makes the sausage's defenders sit up and take notice, who emphasize that it is a real Thuringian bratwurst that only needs to be preserved for international shipping.

Uwe Keith, chairman of the “Friends of the Thuringian Bratwurst”, is also making people sit up and take notice. According to him, only the ingredients are prescribed and the preparation is left to the companies and consumers. “Taste is subjective,” says Keith, noting that many people consider the fresh, unbrewed sausage to be the true Thuringian Rostbratwurst.

Protection of protected products

But the topic goes beyond the Thuringian Rostbratwurst. Around 1,000 products from 27 EU member states are currently protected by the EU, as Agricultural Marketing Thuringia explains. 91 such products are registered in Germany, including the famous Thuringian liver sausage and the Eichsfelder Feldgieker. An EU system, in place since 1992, ensures that traditional and regional foods are legally protected. It differentiates between protected designations of origin (PDO), protected geographical indications (PGI) and guaranteed traditional specialties (TSG).

For consumers, this not only means that they can count on a consistent taste experience, but also that they preserve regional culinary traditions. This is extremely important, especially in the age of convenience and ready-made products.

It remains to be seen how the heated discussion about the Thuringian Rostbratwurst will develop and whether consumers will ultimately still value their traditional sausage in the same way. The fact is: the Thuringian bratwurst remains a crucial piece of Thuringia's culinary identity and has a permanent place on the table of many lovers of good German cuisine.

Further information about protected products and their meaning can be found on the websites of Thuringia24, Agricultural marketing Thuringia and BMEL.