ecological food for christmas

Eco-wave under the stars

Prelude to the Cologne Christmas: At the Cathedral, the Christmas market opens with a new concept, eating organic and star-shaped paths. Also on Old Market, Haymarket, Neumarkt and Rudolfplatz begin the Christmas markets.


Mulled wine in a blaze of lights. Yes, is' for today's Christmas already? A little bit, because yesterday the great Cologne Christmas markets are open. On the Roncalliplatz nothing is as before.
The "Christmas sausage" contains a hint of caramel, apple pieces and Christmas spices. On the grill it clings to a variant of lamb, the "Wurst of the Week". Also, a variety of sky and AED has been announced, and thus is already in the sausage stand clear on Roncalliplatz has done quite something.


Photo Line: Christmas markets in Cologne [7 images]


With the change of operator of the Christmas market, is replaced by a new face at the cathedral. The star is the symbol of the market: The individual pavilions of the 138 suppliers to add this plan. In the center is a 23-meter Nordmann fir (beaten in Bensberg), organizer for Roland Temme "the most beautiful tree that stood here for 15 years." The attraction is to the starry firmament, which radiate from the tree on Christmas stalls tense finish. The 3000 balls of light with 40 LEDs can be programmed Enclosed with the different light effects. Each hour will illuminate the 1,000-square-foot space for a few minutes with changing illumination.

The concert promoter who has managed, among other things BAP (the "Balou"), is with partner Monika Flocke came forth triumphant from a competition. He will host a Christmas market in the next five years. He is particularly proud of the new, simple huts and their airy arrangement. They are formed into groups to assemble on both sides, so little unattractive back views are visible. "This opens new perspectives," promises Temme, and in fact, the tour offers more space, but more for the eyes.

Carvings from the Erzgebirge are found in the party as well as weaving the Maya or the works of young jewelry designer. But the really innovative catering concept is: Almost all vendors have products from organic farming and regional direct marketing in the program. The Rievkoche hail from organic potatoes as fries, and even the peanuts and almonds from the "Knusperwerkstatt" have grown in an environmentally correct environment. "We want to offer a high quality market," says Temme, the food with organic labels is as an important component.

Prices remain in the frame. The back fish from sustainable fisheries (MSC-Siegel) costs 4.90 €. For a bowl of organic kale, but customers have to shell out 5.80 euros. With the addition of sausage are already a 9,60 Euro. "Organic is just expensive," says Marcel Letz by Kirby-catering. You have to see if people are willing to pay that, or whether it is "particularly hot and hearty" must be. The suppliers had to document the chain of origin for products from outside Europe to prove fair trade was compulsory.

The mulled wine, the mother of all Christmas drinks market, provides an Ahr Winzer, who also swears to organic production. Costs 2.50 euros, the hot beverage. The "shot" is one euro more. But at least here is less to pay attention to the origin than the effect.