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Gelbwurst

(Hirnwurst)

Hailing from Bavaria, gelbwurst or yellow sausage is a German sausage variety that has been traditionally stuffed into natural casings dyed with saffron, hence the name. The sausage may consist of pork, veal or beef, bacon, or chicken, and it is typically flavored with various spices such as nutmeg, mace, pepper, ginger, cardamom, and lemon, depending on the region.


Gelbwurst is distinguished by a pale grey color, a mild flavor, and a very smooth texture due to the practice of finely grinding the seasoned meat mixture. This traditional sausage is nowadays usually found inside artificial casings of yellow or orange color.


Belonging to the group of cooked sausages, the sausage can be thinly sliced or cut into thick slices and fried. Either way, the slices are typically enjoyed with fresh bread for breakfast or dinner. Gelbwurst dates back to 1905, when the original version was prepared with the addition of pork brains, resulting in regional variations on the name such as hirnwurst, meaning brain sausage.