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Delicatessen - Enjoyment of Fine Foods

So far, neither legally nor in terms of advertising, has it been regulated what counts as delicatessen and what counts as a delicacy. It is clear, however, that these are selected foods that are not part of everyday cuisine. Delicatessen usually refers to food of above average quality: both the raw materials and their further processing meet high standards. Traditional recipes and manual labor are of great importance here. The range of foods that fall into the delicatessen category ranges from exotic fruits to salads and special cheese and sausage varieties. Of course, luxurious foods such as oysters, caviar, and champagne are also considered delicatessen.

Delicatessen or Fine Foods?

While the word "Delicatesse" used to be synonymous with gentleness or tact during absolutism times, the German dictionary (Brüder Grimm) lists synonyms such as delicacies and banquets. It was publisher and writer Joachim Heinrich Campe who, in the 18th century, ensured that the French word "délicatesse" was adopted into the German language. Nowadays, there is hardly any difference between delicatessen and fine foods: both terms encompass foods that are considered special and not everyday fare. Almost every section of the food retail industry has delicatessen products to offer, and the largest variety is found in the delicatessen and gourmet food stores. Delicatessen departments in supermarkets mainly offer pâtés, fish products, delicatessen salads, and sauces. Exquisite oils and vinegar varieties as well as special spices and sauces make up a good part of our delicatessen selection. After all, it is precisely these ingredients that transform ordinary foods into delicacies. A prime example is pasta served with a delicate sauce.

Delicatessen in the German Food Codex

The German Food Codex, which has existed since 1958, is intended to serve as a guide for the food industry - particularly in the area of food labeling. To date, more than 2,000 foods can be found in the German Food Codex: their specific properties are described so that manufacturers know which product characteristics are typical or expected. Only delicatessen salads are described as a subcategory of delicatessen. According to the German Food Codex, salads with meat/meat products, salads with fish/seafood, and other delicatessen salads (such as with cheese, vegetables, eggs) are to be distinguished. The German Food Codex defines delicatessen salads as "ready-to-eat products made from ingredients of animal and/or vegetable origin in a sauce that matches the taste."

The EU-wide rules for food labeling that have been in effect since December 13, 2014, make it easier for you as a consumer to choose foods that best meet your needs. Regardless of whether it is delicatessen or not: the ingredients and possible allergens are listed legibly. Another innovation concerns frozen meat or frozen meat products: the date when the product was first frozen is printed on it. The manufacturers and retailers have until December 13, 2016, to provide nutritional labeling. Only from this date onwards, will every packaged food be labeled with nutritional information (kilocalories, carbohydrates, fat, saturated fatty acids, protein, sugar, and salt).

Exquisite Specialties for Many Decades

Some of the best-known German manufacturers of delicatessen products are former royal purveyors, who still adhere to traditions and rely on manual labor. Traditional artisanal companies usually have close contact with the producers of the required raw materials or even grow them themselves. Accordingly, great importance can be placed on the quality of the ingredients. Because delicatessen requires the best starting products, which are often typical of the respective region. Examples include Spreewald gherkins, heather honey, and Teltow turnips. In products classified as delicatessen, the "organic" label can be found for reasons of quality. For you as a consumer, this means that you can expect not only excellent taste but also a healthy food. Exquisite wines and champagnes cannot be missing from the delicatessen category, of course. There are wines to match every dish, which can even enhance the taste sensation. Champagne as the ultimate luxury product is the perfect accompaniment to a fine appetizer. The combination of delicatessen dishes and exclusive drinks is often a matter of taste.

Ordering Delicatessen from Home

There is a multitude of foods that fall into the delicatessen category. In our online shop, you can mainly choose from numerous oil and vinegar varieties, sauces, and spices. Perhaps you prefer Mediterranean cuisine and are looking for ingredients to prepare your favorite dishes? Then you've come to the right place: olives, olive oil, and typical spices such as paprika and saffron are the basic requirement for delicatessen dishes from Mediterranean cuisine. However, if you do not have a well-stocked supermarket or delicatessen store nearby, you will have to travel a long way to do your shopping - or you can simply order the desired items online. This means that you only have to buy the fresh ingredients such as meat and vegetables at the market or supermarket and have the rest sent to you after placing your online order. To ensure that nothing is missing for the dish you want to prepare, it is useful to go through the relevant ingredient list. After entering the name of the product you are looking for in the "Search" field, you will receive an overview of the relevant products.

Choosing the Optimal Food

Sitting at the computer, you definitely have more time to dedicate to the product details of the food than you do in the store. Take advantage of this opportunity to always choose the item that has the necessary characteristics. Fine food is only fine if all the delicacies are taken into account during preparation. You can find out everything you need to know about a product by selecting it with a click of the mouse. The categories "Description," "Technical Data," and "Ratings" offer you the opportunity to compare items. Check the ingredients in the description and the nutritional information in the technical data. If ratings are already available for the selected product, you can find out more about its quality and use here. Be sure to also note when the respective item is ready for shipping so that it can arrive at your doorstep in time for the planned meal. Do you still need inspiration for what you could prepare with the delicatessen products? Then take a look at our cooking magazine: in the cooking magazine section, we have put together some interesting recipes for you that can be attributed to German, French, and Italian cuisine.

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