Culinary

Delicious, fun and local products from the Hanseatic cities

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The Hanseatic cities are teeming with history, culture and nature. The ideal breeding ground for local products! The different cities have their own medieval charms, secrets and uniqueness, which is reflected in the various fun and delicious products. From Hanze beer, Hanze bread, to a Hanze board game. This makes a diverse range of local products. Would you like to know more about our local products? Then read on!

Local products from the Hanseatic cities, but what exactly is a local product?

Within our Hanseatic cities, several local products have been created. These so-called regional products are delicacies that originate from and are sold in the Hanseatic region. These are often small-scale produced or cultivated products, made through regional recipes or composition. Important features of these regional products are the characteristic features of the product such as taste, tradition-filled methods or medieval secrets. Another important part of regional products is that they support local entrepreneurs and farmers.

Hanseatic city of Zwolle
Hanseatic city of Zwolle

Regional products also have many environmental benefits. The closer to home, the fewer miles are traveled before you have a regional product in your home. In addition, less packaging material is also used since the products have to travel a less exciting route. Thus, if you want to be environmentally conscious, it is advisable to store locally. Apart from food, other nice products are also produced within the Hanseatic cities. We would be happy to tell you more about them!

Local products within the Hanseatic cities

The Hanseatic cities Deventer, Doesburg, Elburg, Harderwijk, Hasselt, Hattem, Kampen, Zutphen and Zwolle, are more than just cities. They take you back in time to the Hanseatic League. These beautiful, authentic and historic cities are connected by water, each with its own unique charms. Because of their waterfront location, the Hanseatic cities used to be powerful trading centers. So you can certainly say that the activity is still there. Old Dutch customs, recipes and atmospheres can therefore definitely be found here. Thanks in part to European subsidies, some fine local products have emerged within the Hanseatic cities.

Hanseatic bread from Doesburg

![Hanzebrood]](https://www.touristserver.nl/img/162722-1603983535/C200X200/image1.jpeg)In the Kerkstraat of Doesburg, the Hanzebrood originated. This bread originated from the initiative to connect the rich Hanseatic trade history with today's market. HANS - Ouderwets Lekker!" used that background to develop a bread filled with raisins and spices, among other things. Together with some butter it tastes delicious at breakfast or with coffee. In cooperation with other Hanze cities, this typical Hanze bread has been composed as a true Hanze experience. The Hanze bread comes in a nice package, so it is also a nice souvenir to take home or give as a gift to friends or family. Something everyone should try!

Hanseatic bread from Zwolle

Hanzebrood
Hanzebrood

Hanseatic city Zwolle also has its own Hanzebrood. A well-filled bread with raisins, figs and ginger, various herbs and spices based on rye. The bread is available at De Stadsbakker in Zwolle on the Blijmarkt.

Hanzeworst from Harderwijk

That the Hanseatic cities had a lively trade among themselves was not only within the Netherlands. Because of the long trading trips to neighboring countries, it was important to be able to take foodstuffs with them that would keep for a long time. Due to influences of German manufacture, this gave rise to the Hanseatic sausage. The sausage must be hot-smoked for 1.5 hours at 80 degrees with a mixture of various types of wood. Smoking gives the Hanze sausage its typical full flavor and makes it last longer. By grilling the sausage briefly, you can serve it with a delicious stew, Old Dutch kapucijners dish or in the snert.

Would you like to taste the Hanze sausage? Then visit the annual event Hanze Culinair in Harderwijk. From the Stichting Horecaondernemers Markt, this event was created where one can relive the Hanseatic past with a focus on culture "with knife and fork. Tip: taste the authentic Hanze sausage at restaurant and brasserie de Boterlap! This one is juicy and full of flavor, you'll have to lick your fingers at that.

Taste the Hanzebrok!

Hanzebrok](https://www.touristserver.nl/img/163505-1605003414/C200X200/hanzebrok+zwolle_liggen.jpg) Another delicacy from the Hanseatic region is the Hanzebrok, a soft speculoos cookie. This deliciousness is currently only for sale at Bakkerij de Verwennerij in Zwolle. Planning a day trip to Zwolle? Then don't forget to score this yummy cake at Bakkerij de Verwennerij in Westenholte!

Still in the mood for another sweet treat? Opt for the delicious Hanseatic cookies available at Bakkerij Wegerif in Harderwijk.

Tip: the Hanzethee

In addition to sweet and savory snacks, several beverages have emerged within the Hanseatic Cities. Such as their own tea! Hanseatic tea is available in several varieties. For example, there is a delicious green mild tea, with a mix of forest fruits. The aroma is deliciously sweet, but the taste is well balanced in that and not too sweet. Through 't Konkeltje in Hanseatic city Zwolle you can get your hands on this sought-after tea. Tip: don't brew this tea too hot, then the fruit scents and the tea will come out beautifully!

The robust Hanseatic coffee

Hanseatic coffee](https://www.touristserver.nl/img/163507-1605003580/C200X200/hanzekoffie-koffiebonen-robuust-1000gr.jpg) Of course, a real Hanseatic coffee could not be missing from the street of regional products! This robust coffee blend is popular with lovers of powerful and spicy coffee. Hanseatic coffee is characterized as body, round and robust in taste. Not only do you taste mocha and various chocolate flavor nuances, but also earthy tones. The coffee can be ordered online, including at the Weustman.

Mosterdown Doesburg

[Doesburg]](topic://343 "Doesburg"), a Hanseatic city full of history and culture. You'll find all kinds of cultural-historical treasures, as well as the oldest café in the Netherlands. But Doesburg is also known as the mustard city of the Netherlands. Even in Hanseatic times this was already the case. The traditional mustard factory is still in operation, with an accompanying museum where you can learn all about mustard. Plan a day trip to this cozy fortified city and walk into one of the cafes or restaurants to sample the mustard. The Doesburg mustard soup is on the menu everywhere, not to be missed!

Doesburg Mustard Factory
Doesburg Mustard Factory

Streek product Doesburg: the local Hanseatic beer

Hanzebier
Hanzebier

In addition to the centuries-old mustard, the modern Hanzebier was created within the Doesburg city walls. Brewery Doesburgh, founded in 2017, has launched this delicious specialty beer. De Waag Oerblond Hanzebier has an alcohol content of 6 percent and is brewed at Wentersch in Winterswijk.

Taste the Deventer Koek in Hanseatic city of Deventer!

There is something burgundian about the lively Hanseatic city of Deventer. In addition to its rich history, you will find many nice cafes and boutiques, ideal for a fun day out! Visit the Deventer Koekwinkel and tantalize your taste buds. The composition of the recipe and the blend of spices used is still a secret, as is the blend of honey used.

Deventer Koek
Deventer Koek

In fact, the history of Deventer Koek dates back to the Middle Ages. The first record dates back to 1417, in which a deed detailed the appearance and weight of the cake. The deed was kept well hidden so that no one could produce the cake in another city or bake it outside of Deventer. Thus, the cake bakers even had to take an oath. That the cake is and had to remain a Deventer product is still true today. So Deventer Koek is not just any spice or breakfast cake, it is one with an ancient history. Definitely worth trying!

Hanse cookbook: culinary history book of the Hanseatic cities

That the Hanseatic cities have many culinary regional products is no secret anymore. The Middle Ages had a great impact on this and thus the Hanseatic Cookbook was born. It is more than a cookbook, it is a culinary history book. The Hanseatic Cookbook bears the subtitle "In the Pan of the Middle Ages. In fact, you will read what was eaten and cooked in the Middle Ages, based on the products that were available then. Think of fish from the IJssel and the Zuiderzee, meat and chicken from their own livestock and vegetables of the season from their own garden. In the Hanseatic Cookbook you will find recipes with the simple ingredients of the past, with which you can still cook delicious dishes today!

Local products within the Hanseatic cities

Hanseatic quartet - Studio Biesterveld](https://www.touristserver.nl/img/163508-1605003772/C200X200/ThemaHeaderHanzeKwartet+-+Studio+Biesterveld.jpg) Besides all the delicious, local products, you can also find several fun local products within the Hanseatic cities. Through the Hanseatic Quartet you get a playful glimpse into the rich Hanseatic history. The quartet consists of 48 richly illustrated cards divided into 11 themes, including Guilds & Crafts and Scoundrels & Rascals.

But the Hanseatic Board Game is another great example. Travel back in history and discover Hanseatic City of Kampen through a game of Hanzenbord. This board game is similar to a goose board game, but only available in Hanseatic city Kampen. It takes you back into the Hanseatic era of Kampen, very educational and entertaining!

Some of the above products were created within the Interreg project "Cross-border Cooperation Hanseatic Cities". The budget could only be used for concept and product development. A great way to make the ancient Hanseatic history more visible in our cities!

Hansa Teutonica Big Box

Are you a real merchant? The game Hansa Teutonica goes back to the German Hanseatic League (Latin: Hansa Teutonica), a medieval alliance between merchants and cities. As a player of the game, you try to increase your standing within the Hanseatic League as a merchant. Hansa Teutonica is an interactive strategic game where you have a lot of freedom in choosing and using your actions.

Hanseatic Escaperoom

In addition to all those fun and delicious local products, there are many fun activities centered around the Hanseatic League. For example, consider the Hanze Escaperoom! During the Hanze escape, the goal is to escape from one of the most special locations of Elburg: the historic Vischpoort. Imagine yourself back in the time of the Hanseatic League and try as a group within 75 minutes to pass the application procedure to become the new gatekeeper. Elburg is urgently looking for new gatekeepers! Will you and your family or friends become the new gatekeepers of Elburg? Solving riddles will unlock new floors in the gate and bring you ever closer to the key to Elburg!

Hanze Outside Escape

Or go for the Outside escape with which you will discover the Hanseatic cities of Wezel and Zutphen in a playful way. The Outside escape is an automatically guided tour through a city, museum or other location. During the tour, you and your team solve riddles while traveling through the rich past of the Hanseatic cities It stimulates you to look around carefully so you get to know the most beautiful places of the city in a playful way. All information is easily sent to you on your phone so you can start whenever you want!

Hanseatic Walk of Fame

The Hanseatic Walk of Fame is an experiential tour that conveys knowledge about the unique Hanseatic culture and current value of the Hanseatic cities in an innovative way. Participants are introduced to the social customs, rituals, traditions, folk tales and regional language of the Dutch and German Hanseatic towns in the border region. Also, the heyday of the Hanseatic League is brought to life with authentic and appealing stories and are linked to enterprising inhabitants of today. We also do this by linking the mercantile spirit of inhabitants to visible qualities of Hanseatic towns and their culture.

Art products from the Hanseatic League

Glas kogge
Glas kogge

The Hanseatic cities are bursting with history, art and culture, which are strongly connected. Art, for example, was not only very important in the Hanseatic era but also in today's contemporary art, the history of the Hanseatic era is well reflected. For example, this Glass Kogge available at Altelier Lucas in Kalkar, Germany. The glass artwork is based on a cogge as we know it from the Hanseatic period.

![Mural Thomas á Kempis]](https://www.touristserver.nl/img/257324-1676897992/C200X200/Zwolle-muurschildering-Th-a-Kempis-cTrotse-muren-naamsvermelding-verplicht.jpg) But also the mural of Thomas á Kempis in Zwolle is an example of the connection between contemporary art and the history of the Hanseatic period. Thomas á Kempis was an important man in the Hanseatic era. He is considered the figurehead of the religious movement modern devotion that had a close connection to the Hanseatic League. The mural on which Thomas á Kempis can be admired was created by street artist Donovan Spaanstra. The artwork can be found at the intersection of Sassenstraat and Goudsteeg in Zwolle.

Some of the above products were created within the Interreg project 'Cross-border cooperation Hanseatic Cities'. The budget could only be used for concept and product development. A great way to make the centuries-old Hanseatic history more visible in our cities!