A Guide to Wursts

[Solstice444]

There's a great smokehouse and deli that I pass on the way to and from work every day. I've heard that they have great wursts that they make on the premises. Now, I don't think I've ever tried a wurst. I'd like to, especially since they have such a great reputation at this place, but I don't know what kind to start with. I'm afraid I'll get one and then won't like it. The wursts that they carry are:

Bratwurst
Brauerwurst
Wiesswurst
Knockwurst

So what I'm wondering is, can anyone tell me what sorts of flavors each wurst provides so that I might have an idea of which one to try? Is there a particular wurst that's better to try for beginning wurst eaters? I'm totally clueless. Thanks!

[Pata_Negra]

i'm a big fan of Germany and things in it, especially its fabulous beers and glorious wurst. i haven't eaten a wurst in Germany that i don't like. at least not yet. in Franconia i like finger sized Nürnberger Würstchen [http://www.flickr.com/photos/tenhosaudade/2255315028/in/set-72157594536266931/ ] and Blauer Zipfel. Weisswurst is very nice indeed. note that this one is eaten with a sweet mustard, not sharp. a couple more pics of wurst i took in Bavaria [http://saudades.proboards.com/index.c...]

it's always devastating to go back to my food hell after visiting Germany. :) guten appetit!

[alkapal]

hey hounds in sw florida, surman's link shows a distributor for ehmer's wursts in sarasota: http://www.karlehmer.com/locations.ht...

[MsDiPesto]

sigh....all this talk reminds me of Schneller's, the wonderful German-American butcher shop in my hometown in the Hudson Valley (NY). All manner of wursts and sausages hanging from the walls. He had a lot of things he made on the spot too: liverwurst with mushrooms, lebercase, smoked turkey breasts....as a child going in there with mom, he'd throw me a slice of balogna to snack on. As an adult, I'd go there for the best steaks. Even made his own version of boursin cheese and what he called a "cowboy boursin" (spicy version). I so wish I had had the chance to try beef tartare from there.

[Solstice444]

Where in the Hudson Valley? I live in the Hudson Valley too...in Wappingers Falls, in southern Dutchess. The smokehouse I've been talking about it East Fishkill Provisions. Hmm, a little googling shows that it might be in Kingston? That's not *too* far from me!

[surman]

Please tell us name and location... thank you!

[MsDiPesto]

Just rediscovered this thread, sorry about that, unfortunately Schnellers is no more, after the dad retired, a couple sons ran it for awhile, but eventually stopped some years back.

However, the Veteran Pork Store (used to be off Rt 212 between Saugerties and Woodstock) is supposed to be good, and I hear there is a very good butcher store in Kingston now.

[alkapal]

solstice! have you done the wurst?

[Solstice444]

I just did! I had knockwurst, with sauerkraut, mustard, and ketchup...they grilled it and prepared it for me there. I got the last one in the deli case. It was delicious! :-) Thank you everyone for your suggestions and helpfulness. By the way, although the deli's website had Brauerwurst on the menu, it's labeled as Bauernwurst in the case at the actual deli. So that solves that mystery!

[yayadave]

This is a wonderful thread. After reading it, I think maybe Oscar Meyer just took a big hit. Of the wurst kind.

[Solstice444]

I'm glad that my question has fostered such discussion! Still haven't stopped to pick up any wursts, but I am really going to try to soon. My schedule for the past week or so has not allowed me to pass that place around lunchtime, or when it's open...soon, and then I will give my report!

[alkapal]

we are none the wurst for your tardiness, solstice! just have fun; and in your report, please tell us the proper cooking technique, eating technique, and condiment set for each individual wurst.

[yayadave]

And don't forget what small vineyard wine and what micro-brew beer and artisanal bread go best with each of the best of the wurst.

[vvvindaloo]

I don't see any mention of Bauernwurst. It's my favorite- a beef and pork blend that's often served grilled.

[mrbozo]

Oh but it has been.

[vvvindaloo]

Where? I just re-read the whole thread, and didn't see Bauernwurst mentioned at all.

[mrbozo]

My bad, I got it confused with brauerwurst. But here's a link: http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/me...

[vvvindaloo]

Thanks for the link, mrbozo. Even though I have traveled extensively throughout Germany, and Bavaria, in particular, I had never heard of this one until I tried in a restaurant in NYC! I am not sure where you are located, but Lederhosen (a restaurant here in the city) does a great job with their wurst (I like it served on a roll). I like the fact that Bauernwurst is cooked on a griddle, and is a bit leaner than Bratwurst. I like the contrast of the mild and slightly crispy sausage with the sweet cabbage, spicy mustard and chewy bread. Delicious.

[JungMann]

I mentioned bauernwurst towards the top. Very good sausage. One of my favorites, as well.

[soupkitten]

haven't seen jagerwurst (hunter's sausage) mentioned. a smoked sausage a bit like salami, i've seen it made of pork, venison, grass-fed lamb. excellent with strong horseradish mustard. and beer.

[mrbozo]

Mmmm.

[steakman55]

I ordered some nice bratwurst through mail order the other day, but they haven't arrived yet. The wurst is yet to come.

[alkapal]

wah wah waaaah

but will you accompany them with ge-wurst-traminer wine?

[Solstice444]

Haha. Yum, gewurtztraminer! Okay, sometime in the next couple of days I will stop and try these wursts. Everyone seems very enthusiastic about them. I'm anxious to see what I've been missing!

[alkapal]

ask the supplier how to cook each one properly, as it differs (apparently). please let us know your detailed review ;-)

and go for a nice lager, or hefeweiss (for the weisswurst) -- or darker. i'd skip the gewurz for the wursts. now say that fast three times.....

[HSBSteveM]

The mailman "brat" mine today.

[alkapal]

hope you "mustard" up the courage to eat them right away! ;-)

btw, is it really true one is supposed to "suck" the weisswurst from its casing? how is that possible? every weisswurst i've had, it is a little tricky to peel the somewhat adherent casing off before eating with a knife and fork.

[Solstice444]

That's what I'm wondering...you need to have some pretty strong lips? Or jaw muscles rather?

[mostlysunny]

I still adore the lowly, perhaps, Boars Head liverwurst with pistachios. Delicious!

[alkapal]

Before I read any other post, I just have to say: buy one of each, and try it! They are all good.
And, know that weisswurst should be skinned before being eaten.

[Karl S]

There's also the way they are supposed to be cooked. In Germany, some wursts are to be scalded in hot water and eaten that way (eg, frankfurters), others are to be pan fried, others to be grilled, and others to to be spread. Weisswurst is really supposed to be sucked out of the casing, for example; only barbarians (read Prussians in the Bavarian mind) slice it up to eat it with a knife and fork (foreigners will be forgiven in their ignorance). So the method of preparation and serving is a whole other level of detail.

[linguafood]

And, you're not supposed to have a weisswurst after 11 am or noon. It's like the Bavarian version of the cappuccino rule.

[Karl S]

It's because, when weisswurst was invented in the mid-19th century, it was not refrigerated and needed to be eaten as the first post-breakfast snack of the day.

[brentk]

I was in Munich a couple of years ago and tried to order Weisswurst at 10 past Noon. I was treated like a Barbarian and they refused to serve it to me.

[Sharuf]

I was in Munich many years ago during Oktoberfest. It was late in the day, and weisswurst was what was being served in a big beer hall..

[linguafood]

Well, yeah... because the tourists at the Oktoberfest generally don't know any better and will thus eat weisswurst whenever, and at whatever price.

[Karl S]

Yeah, they probably get the weisswursts where the green parsley has already faded to gray (a sign of a weisswurst that is past its prime, and which locals won't eat if they have a choice).

[Sharuf]

Most of the folks in this particular beer hall were Germans.

[linguafood]

Well, that doesn't necessarily mean they were Bavarians. Oktoberfest draws tourists from the fatherland as well. A *true* Bavarian would most likely _not_ eat weisswurst in the afternoon, as it is considered a breakfast item. Those crazy mountain folks
'-)

[Will Owen]

"Weisswurst is really supposed to be sucked out of the casing, for example"...a-HA! Like Cajun boudin blanc! Which I in my ignorance tried to cut up and eat first time I tried it, only to find that those apparently inedible casings actually are...

[RevImmigrant]

I live now in Brandenburg, before in Hessen in der Odenwald. Prussians are not barbarians, but do have certain characteristics. Overall, they're better than the Schwaben. Hessen is das Best and the Mettwurst is much better there than it is here. If you like a garlicky flavor, Knoblauchwurst (garlic sausage) is good. Here they call Frikadellen "bouletten." My Uncle Arno used to make a smoked sausage that was firmer than Mettwurst and was really good, but I don't remember what he called it. His Bauernwurst was good too. My favorites are Mettwurst Hessen Art, Knoblauchwurst and Bauernwurst. I got some good Kielbasa in Polen last week too.

[JungMann]

I think instead of brauerwurst you mean bauerwurst? It's just a rustic country-style smoked pork sausage simply flavored with marjoram and mustard. I think it tastes best grilled, but it normally comes steamed at my local brauerei.

I don't know that any wurst is best for a "beginner." Wurst is just the German word for sausage, so unless you've never had a hotdog, this shouldn't be too daunting. Weisswurst is a little rich, more something to start your day with than to snack on. Bratwurst is flavorful and snappy, great boiled in beer and served with sauerkraut. Knockwurst is garlicky and versatile. Bauerwurst is mild, good topped with red cabbage and mustard.

[linguafood]

Could be Brauerwurst as in brewer's sausage -- perhaps made with beer or supposed to be eaten with a brew. Great combo = brat & beer.

[JungMann]

Beer sausage? What is this manna from above? Please tell me you've actually encountered this in Germany.

[linguafood]

I'm not sure there's actually beer IN the sausage. But that would be a total waste.

I have seen beer brats from Wisconsin in US supermarkets, but don't remember if they contained any.

For now, you'll just have to eat the sausage while drinking your beer. I bet you can manage '-P

[BobB]

A bit of quick googling shows that bauerwurst (or bauernwurst), i.e. farmer's sausage, is a very common product. Brauerwurst is much rarer but does exist, and interestingly the Web sites that mention it are all in German. At least one says that it does indeed have beer in it: http://www.metzgerei-rechsteiner.ch/h...

It's in the paragraph at the bottom of the page, which translates roughly as, "New to the range: our brauerwurst, made with Ueli beer and barley. Made by hand, eaten by hand: this tasty brauerwurst is made with all-natural ingredients and old-style hand craftsmanship."

[JungMann]

I won't pretend to get the peculiarities of Schwyzerdütsch (my avatar and namesake notwithstanding), but doesn't that say that it's served with Ueli beer and bread, not necessarily made?

[linguafood]

Yea, you're right ym, it's served with beer and bread, not made with it.

[BobB]

I'm sure your German is better than my rusty recollections, but I thought Gerste is barley? Is Gersten slang for bread?

[JungMann]

Your translation is first-rate, but the heading is unclear as to whether the sausages are actually made with beer and barley. At the bottom, however, it does explicitly state "served" with beer and bread, they taste good. Everything might be a little clearer if they would use Standard German conventions!

[Solstice444]

The smokehouse's website says Brauerwurst, so the next time I'm in there I'll look to see what it's actually labeled as, in the store. Thank you everyone for the insight! I have definitely had hotdogs. I just was a bit overwhelmed by the different varieties and wanted some guidance as to the flavors in each, which you guys have wonderfully provided!

[Sharuf]

What is bratwurst? Depends on where you are and who you ask. In Frankfurt it is a white, finely ground mildly-seasoned pork sausage. In my local supermarket it is a coarsely-ground reddish pork sausage. The only constants seem to be the presence of pork and the sausage is fresh (uncured and not smoked). The size is about 1/3 lb., and the texture and color can be anything.

[RichK]

All true german bratwursts are white, not like the Johnsonville brand which are red and not bad in a pinch.

[Will Owen]

Yes, I think the Johnsonville guys are all pork, or nearly so. The best recipes I've seen call for equal parts pork - both lean and fat - and veal (and since we don't do veal I use turkey breast instead, which works very well); this yields a nice white sausage. The dominating spice is mace. I think the Usinger's cooked brats are fairly close in flavor to the ones I crank out.

[alkapal]

I know Will didn't say or mean this, but don't anyone confuse Johnsonville Brats with REAL German brats from a German deli. Am I right, or do I have to duck from a flying grease missile called Johnsonville?

[Catskillgirl]

I treat Johnsonville brats just like hot dogs. They're fine, they're tasty, but not like a real brat as you said. They're mild, they're not annoying, but they're a bit on the, well, bland side.

[petradish]

Amen. Not even MSG could save those brats :-P

[Will Owen]

Here we are, over a year later...and no, I was just using J-ville as yer typical mass-market brat, not as an exemplar of anything. However, as is the case with Oscar Mayer salami and other fairly well-made if unexciting wurstish things, I'll pick Johnsonville brats over no brats anytime. They make a nice addition to my choucroute garni, as do the Hebrew National knockwurst.

[mrbozo]

http://www.helium.com/items/824949-ge...

[bkhuna]

That's the wurst list I've seen. Thank you.

My favorites are Weisswurst and Nurnbergers.

[ChefBoyAreMe]

>>>That's the wurst list I've seen.<<<

That is actually the best wurst list I've ever seen.

[Solstice444]

Thank you!! I've avoided eating veal for years, but the Weisswurst is tempting me.

[mrbozo]

You're welcome. Here's another list with some duplication but including sausages not mentioned in the first list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category...

[yumyumyogi]

I recommend the Weisswurst with Weissbier. And a good amount of mustard.

[BobB]

Not to mention Teewurst, which is a spreadable smoked meat paste that comes in a little sausage-shaped roll about 2" x 5". I got hooked on this stuff when I was living in Germany and still get it at the Russian stores here in Boston.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teewurst

[linguafood]

BobB, I am so addicted to that stuff. You can't get decent quality Teewurst in the US (at least I haven't found any in PA, but I haven't been searching, admittedly -- I do get my fix in the summers.

[BobB]

The stuff I get here seems pretty similar to what I used to eat in Germany. I don't have any in the house at the moment so I can't name the brand. I'll check into it and let you know later.

It's funny - when I was living there (this was Hamburg in the mid-1970s) I had an older friend who wouldn't touch the stuff because he said that when he was a boy just after WW2, teewurst was all you could get in the shops and it gave him horrible memories. God knows what was in it back then!

[HSBSteveM]

Don't forget Teawurst's twin - Braunschweiger - the best brand I have found in the US for both of these is Schaller & Weber.

[BobB]

That's the one I get at the local Russian store, I recognize the name now that you mention it. They also carry Hungarian salamis and other delights.

[alkapal]

YES! Schaller and Weber makes tremendous braunschweiger -- have some in the fridge right now. In Arlington, VA, one can buy it (and its kin) at Harris Teeter, with the refrigerated meats/ coldcuts/cheeses just under the deli meat counter.

[MacTAC]

Schaller & Weber also makes Touristenwurst (Tourist Sausage). Very good, salami-like, with cheese and crackers.

[RichK]

Go to Karlehmer.com. They sell a quality Teewurst, bot the fine and the "grobe" art.
They also have a very good selection of other wursts listed abouve. They ship all over and an order over $50 is shipped free, except in the summer when they charge $25 for overnight shipping on any meat products.
Their hams are also very good too.

[linguafood]

Rich, the problem I have mostly is with the sizes of Teewurst available. As much as I indulge in it when in Germany, you can here just get 100g (about 3 oz.) cut off of a piece, whereas that Braunschweiger one is massive, and I hate to see it go bad. I don't want to eat it *every* day, but end up having more of it over here because I can get smaller portions. If that makes any sense whatsoever '-)

I'll check out the site, though, because I'm also a big fan of leberwurst in all its varieties (with apples & onions, or chives....) ---

[Catskillgirl]

Ooooh, Karl Ehmer. I was lucky enough to live right down the street from the main plant in Queens years ago. Yummy, yummy stuff. I never thought of having it shipped!

[surman]

FYI, hounds, here is a link to Karl Ehmer's site which includes cursory descriptions of most products and "where to buy" information, including web orders. Gut fressen.

http://www.karlehmer.com/index.html

[thinks too much]

I hear you. I splurged and finally bought some (been missing it since my year in Germany). I couldn't finish it because it was so salty.

[linguafood]

Well, one of the "tricks" to counter the saltiness is to lay some fresh cucumer slices on top of the teewurst. Which I also do sometimes with leberwurst to counter its fattiness and chalkiness.

It sounds weird, but is a great combo.

[filth]

I detested Teewurst. It tasted like salty baloney that had been somehow processed to make it spreadable. Disgusting.

[linguafood]

What I don't get is why it's called Teewurst. There certainly is no tea in it. But I love that shit. Smoky, fatty, salty. Oh yesssss.

[alkapal]

wiki sez: "Teewurst was invented in Pomerania, probably in the small Baltic town of Rügenwalde (now Darłowo in Poland), in the middle of the 19th century. The name, which means tea sausage, is said to derive from the habit of serving sandwiches at teatime."

[linguafood]

Ah, funny. Rügenwalder is one of the main and popular brands of Teewurst in Germany. They have a commercial that is supposed to evoke a rustic large farmer family back in the days. Of course, they have teewurst for dinner (abendbrot).

Considering it's a commercial for sausage, it's pretty damn cheesy '-)

[alkapal]

linguafgood, you might get a kick out of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYykoW...

[linguafood]

Yep. That's one of those I had in mind. That is one cheesy sausage commercial :-D

[onofudluvr]

You forgot my favorite, Frankfurter Rindswurst.

[mrbozo]

We aim to please: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankfur...

[HSBSteveM]

The Brat is a German version of the Italian sausage (mitout the distinctive fennel seed) and is all-around excellent for grilling.
Brauerwurst - never heard of it, but sounds like it might have a distinctive spice
Weisswurst is a light color, generally made with veal, has flecks of spice and parsley and is generally mild and tasty.
Knockwurst generally is a thick version of a hot dog and pretty much tastes that way, unless it's a "boutique brand", then it might be a bit milder and have a more distinctive spice to it.