When you hear "Baumkuchen," this delicious layered cake, do you know where it originated? While there are various theories, it's widely believed that Germany officially established this dessert. In German, it's called Baumkuchen, and its history reportedly spans over 500 years.
However, many people mistakenly believe that Baumkuchen is a Japanese creation. It's incredibly popular in Japan, often given as a celebratory gift. Recently, the German Embassy in Japan showcased Baumkuchen within its premises and posted about its significant status in Japan, much to the surprise of many Japanese netizens.
The German Embassy in Japan's post stated that Baumkuchen holds an even stronger position in Japan than in its country of origin, Germany! It has evolved uniquely in Japan, with variations like matcha, and even subtle miso or soy sauce flavors. They even mentioned that some German colleagues tried Baumkuchen for the very first time after coming to Japan!
Despite Germany being its birthplace, many Germans only get their first taste of Baumkuchen when they visit Japan. And now, it's even made its way onto the embassy's display cabinet!
The story of Baumkuchen in Japan traces back to German confectioner Karl Juchheim, who first introduced it. After the Battle of Tsingtao during World War I, he was transferred as a prisoner from Tsingtao to Kobe, where he later passed on the art of making this dessert. The brand "JUCHHEIM" subsequently took up the mantle, establishing itself as a purveyor of authentic German pastries. To this day, JUCHHEIM remains renowned as a top choice for gifts in Japan.
This revelation surprised many Japanese netizens. While they knew Baumkuchen originated in Germany, they never imagined Germans didn't eat it that often. Some even exclaimed, "I thought Germans ate Baumkuchen every day!"
The German Embassy clarified that the true origins of Baumkuchen lie in eastern German cities like Salzwedel, Dresden, and Cottbus. In other parts of Germany, it's not necessarily a common staple, which explains why some Germans might only encounter it for the first time in Japan.
This phenomenon truly highlights Japan's remarkable ability to take foreign cultures and transform them with its own unique flair, developing distinct and recognizable new forms. It's no wonder even Germany is impressed by Japan's Baumkuchen – it truly leaves a more lasting impression than its original birthplace!
via： togetter