Have you ever enjoyed a German butterbrot? Well, if you have heard of this type of sandwich, then you’re probably going to want to observe German Butterbrot Day — a holiday that falls on the 25th day of September every year.

Of course, if you have never heard of this method of making sandwiches, then you’re probably still going to want to observe this day. After all, they’re just so tasty! What is a German butterbrot? Well, it’s basically a dense and hearty bread (such as pumpernickel or whole wheat) that’s served open-faced and with a thick layer of butter.

It’s on this foundation that a variety of other toppings can be added, including roast beef or ham, cheeses such as Gouda or Camembert, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, mustard, mayo, and/or liverwurst. It all depends on the individual’s personal taste. So, you might want to whip up some to enjoy with friends and family on this day.

The History of German Butterbrot Day

This particular type of sandwich can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages — and it may go back even further than that. It started out as a simple peasant food that allowed people to eat, even when there wasn’t any other type of food available.

Most homes had a goat or a cow from which they could get milk and make butter, and bread was commonly distributed by each township. Therefore, just about anyone could put bread and butter together with whatever meager ingredients they had, no matter how poor they were.

In rural areas of Medieval Germany, people would make these sandwiches using coarse bread, butter, ham, and whatever veggies they grew in their home gardens. In urban areas where people had access to a wider variety of different foods, the toppings for these sandwiches could be even more exotic, especially among the nobility.

Imported cheeses could be used, as could preserved meats such as stockfish or herring, dried fruits such as raisins and dried figs, and spices such as ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. It might not sound appealing to the modern palate, but sandwiches made back then were quite the craze.

Now that we know how German butterbrots have come to be enjoyed by people all across Germany, it’s time to try and ascertain the history of German Butterbrot Day. Fortunately, we were able to find out this information, although it did take a bit of digging.

This holiday was first created by the Central Marketing Agency of the German Agricultural Industry at the end of the 1990s. It has been celebrated in Germany ever since.

Observing German Butterbrot Day

Observing this holiday is pretty easy and quite delicious, too! All you need is a great type of fresh bread, whatever toppings you enjoy, and some butter. Once you have the sandwiches put together, serve them with hot tea or even a beer. Now you can enjoy German Butterbrot Day in style.