The dispute over the Bratwurst's true origins has flared up between the two German states of Bavaria and Thuringia, as historians from Erfurt unearth a document from 1269 referencing a meat-roasting stand more than a century before Bavaria's "Wurstkuchl" claims its old-world title.
The Wurstkuchl in Regensburg, which has long been celebrated as the "oldest Bratwurst stand in the world," is nestled on the historic Stone Bridge by the Danube River. The tavern, with roots tracing back to documented operations in 1378, has divided opinions regarding the famed sausage's true birthplace.
Thuringian historians, however, are now investigating a site linked to the recently uncovered document that precedes the Bavarian records. This discovery challenges the previous timeline, as earlier references to bratwursts had only been found dating back to 1404 from the town of Arnstadt.
Despite the controversy, Wurstkuchl continues to uphold its rich traditions, emphasizing its technique and ingredients—pure pork ham sausages grilled over charcoal and paired with sauerkraut and local mustard. Alexandra Meier, the tavern's landlady, expressed that this newfound claim does not undermine their legacy. “It doesn’t bother us at all,” she stated, confident in the quality that draws people to her establishment.
The rivalry is certainly not a novel tale. The Bavarian towns of Regensburg and Nuremberg previously fought over the same title until a ruling deemed Regensburg victorious. While the debate over the Bratwurst's heritage continues to simmer, one thing remains clear— German gastronomy remains intertwined with pride and historical significance.
