Most Read Stories of 2023: Francine Reveals the Secret of Pumpernickel Bread's Name

by Francine Black

A dense rye bread, Pumpernickel originated in the Westphalian region of Germany, perhaps during the time of the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). The brutal, terribly destructive conflict included several European countries fighting for religious, territorial, and commercial reasons. The bread was originally made entirely of coarse winter rye flour (and whatever else seemed to be lurking on the threshing floor) for the German soldiers. This particular grain grew well throughout the cold Westphalian region even in the winter, and so it provisioned soldiers and civilians throughout the years of bitter fighting.    

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