In all my five months that I've spent in Austria, I've found an object to appreciate in every second. I think especially in corona time, this habit helped me to enjoy my Erasmus. Because for this, you only need to go to the stores and have some Austrian friends (Danke Bernhard, Marvin, Sebastian and Enişte!) who is willing to explain their culture.
Of course before my Erasmus I had some knowledge about Austrian culture, but I think the point is here, knowing something that tourists don't know and show off like a local :) In my case I was a "Steirerin" for five months and I think that was great!
Except for the stuff I've shared here, there were too many any other things that I could not photographed, too many great friendships, beautiful places, cultural events and Austrian dialect which I find so beautiful.
German talking friends, please feel free to correct my typos, especially about artikel rules. Austrian friends, please feel free to correct any false or missing information.
Der Punschkrapfen
Punschkrapfen was one of the most showy Austrian dessert for me in the beginning. However it was impossible to finish it. The pink icing is so sweet and the one I bought had a very thick icing layer. Despite the that part, inside was very delicious with rum flavour.
Der Apfelstrudel mit Schlagobers
I am so proud of myself that the first try of Apfelstrudel was really delicious! It might be the most popular dessert from here especially after the strudel scene in "Inglorious Basterds". There are different variations of the topping like vanille sauce, milk or just powder sugar. But of course I wanted to try the similar recipe in the movie. Thanks to the recipe, I've learned "the cream" in Austrian dialect is "das Obers" which is different from "die Sahne" in standard German (Hochdeutsch).
Schoko Krampus
I've only taken the photo of Krampus because I'd already eaten Schoko Nikolo. Krampus is an anthropomorphic figure in Alpine folklore who during the Christmas season scares children who have misbehaved (acc. to wikipedia). In Christmas time you can see chocolates in the figures of Krampus and Saint Nikolaus in all supermarkets. Also there is an event Krampus und Saint Nikolaus on 6 December. People wear costumes as Krampus and Nikolaus and walk in a parade as I've heard from my firends. Unfortunately this year there was no Krampus and no parade, only Nikolaus came due to corona situation.
Der Glühwein
Best way to warm up after coming home by walking for half an hour in the snow with your friends :) It is also possible to make glühwein with red wine and spices.
Der Adventskalender
Thanks to Bernhard, we had an adventskalender in our flat. Advent is the season between 1st and 24th December. In this season Christians wait and make preparations for Christmas. This calender is made for children, while waiting for the Christmas each day has one chocolate as the prize of waiting.
Das Kürbiskernöl
The pumpkin seed oil is one of the most popular thing in Styria region. As a "Steirerin" I've used this oil in every salad I made.
Die Vanillekipferl
Thanks to Tandem programme and my tandem partner Sebastian, we attended a cookie contest. And thanks to amounts in the recipe, I baked Vanillekipferl enough for all people in Graz. They were very delicious despite the shape. "Kipferl" means "crescents" in German :)
Der Glühmost aus Mostviertel
Austria has 9 federal states (Bundesland). One of them is Lower Austria and this state also has four different region (Viertel) according to their economical sources: Weinviertel, Waldviertel, Mostviertel, Industrieviertel. Mostviertel is known for their cider (der Most) production. This bottle of Glühmost is from Mostviertel, you can heat it and drink in the winter time like Glühwein.
Die Weihnachtskekse bei Margit
You can not believe all those cookies are handmade! In Christmas time, baking different kind of cookies is also another tradition that I loved. Thanks to Margit we were able to try them. My favorite is the one with pumpkin seeds on top:) Vielen Dank Margit!
Der Kohlrabi
Cabbage turnip (Tr: Alabaş turpu). I don't know about others but it was the first time I've seen this vegetable. If you're interested in learning German and watch "Mein Weg Nach Deutschland" by Goethe Institiut, there is also an episode in a supermarket and the Turkish girl doesn't know Kolrabi, either. I feel you Nevin.
Manner Glückswürfel
Manner is a wafer brand from Vienna. Standard product from Manner is a wafer with hazelnut creme like "9 kat tat" in Turkey. This product ,I think, special for New Year's Eve. Because in this time of the year I've seen many things about luck (Glück) sold in supermarkets. For example some small flowers as "Glücksbringer". And another stupid fact about me, I'd been reading the name of this brand as "Wammer" for all my life :(
Manner Glücks-Fläschchen
This is also good for New Year's Eve celebrations. These small bottles are made of chocolate and filled with liqour.
Der Zwetschgenkuchen bei Margit
"Die Zwetchge" is the German name for plums. They are also common in Austria after apples and pears. This cake is also made by Margit :)
Der Vanillekrapfen
The most known krapfen is the one with apricot sauce in it (Marillenkrapfen). But I wanted to try the one with vanille sauce with the advise of Alina and not disappointed of course!
Ein Geschenk für das Silvester
This is a small handmade gift that Bernhard received from his aunt and shared with us. It is written "Viel Glück für 2021" on it and it has very delicious chocolates on the leaves of the clover.
Almdudler
This is also another Austrian brand after Manner. "Almdudler" is a brand of a lemaonade with natural Alpine herbs. Very delicious but my favorite drink in Austria is of course white wine!
Die Süßebrezel mit Schlagobers
I've seen this beauty in the advertising of Merkur supermarket and fell in love. I am not a fan of standard brezel but this one is very soft and the schlagobers was very delicious.
Der Marillenlikör aus Biberbach
Another Austrian handmade thing is this apricot liquor. Handmade schnapps mixed with organic apricot puree.
Der Spätzlehobel
Yes, I carried it in my luggage and brought it to Turkey. For me it was one of the most Austrian stuff and a great souvenir for myself , I've used it and not disappointed:) Spaetzlehobel is a simple tool to make egg noodles (spaetzle). I tried a recipe with cheese and caramelized onion, I can totally recommend it.
Das Berner Würstel
Very tasty sausage that you can find every supermarket in Austria. inside of the sausage is full of cheese, outside wrapped with bacon.
