With over 3050 registered varieties, Germany is a "Bread Paradise". Almost all available types of grain are used from wheat, rye, barley and oats to millet, corn, rice and potato starch, while bread rolls go under so many different names in the regions it is easier to just point. Fast Facts.

Germany's reputation as one of the world's best kept countries is well earned, the universal and regular cleaning of everything in sight even having a name, Putzanfall. So much a passion it's "enjoyable", with anxiety attacks when everything doesn't "sparkle" as it should.

Rote Grütze with summer berries is one of Germany's most popular desserts. Light, refreshing, easy to make and for centuries "every day" Hausmannskost, home cooking, in northern Germany, it is a "fruit salad with a difference", and a menu favorite even in upscale restaurants.

Every change of season means makeover time for Germany's flower boxes. A bizarre mixture sometimes, but carefully tended, colorful plant filled containers are everywhere. A wonderful sight on door stoops, window ledges, trailing from apartment balconies and down ancient farm house walls.

Many Summer Solstice and Midsummer Eve festivities in German speaking countries were mystic Pagan and pre-Christian festivals, symbolic of renewal, fertility and harvest,and fire still plays a major role in celebrating sun and light's triumph over cold and darkness.

Rumtopf goes back centuries as a delicious way to preserve summer fruit. Starting in early summer with strawberries, cherries and rum of course, with fruit added as it comes into season until early autumn, it's a taste of summer in winter. Easy to make, hard to mess up and delicious.