How cabbage travel works in Bremen

🔎 If you are looking for genuine North German traditions and experiences, or are an experienced kale lover, then this article is just right for you. Here we introduce you to the tradition of cabbage trips and show you some places where you can stop for a kale meal.

💜 This tradition, which is deeply rooted in northern culture, offers a unique blend of conviviality, fun and culinary enjoyment. Imagine this: You're walking through the wintry landscape with friends, colleagues or family, equipped with a handcart full of drinks and snacks. There's laughter, games and a competition or two, such as a game of "Boßeln" or a teabag toss - all with the aim of achieving the goal: a hearty kale meal.

🥬 The Kohlfahrt is more than just an outing; it is a social event that brings people of all ages together. Whether you are a die-hard Bremer or a visitor exploring the city, you should experience this tradition. Kale season begins with the first frost and continues into March. It is the time when the North Germans show their best side: warm, humorous and always ready for a good time.

👑 And then there is the crowning of the cabbage king or queen - a ritual that should not be missed. Whoever eats the most cabbage or excels at the games is awarded this honour and gets to organize the cabbage trip the following year. Sounds exciting?

Scroll through the article to find out why cabbage trips exist in the first place, how to organize and celebrate them, the best places to eat them and how you can easily make delicious kale dishes yourself.

How to plan your cabbage trip in Bremen?

1. set a date

Choose a suitable date between November and March. Also try to make sure that kale is available and the weather is acceptable for a hike. Caution: Most kale events start in January and last until March.

2. invite participants

Make a list of people you would like to invite on your cabbage tour. These can be your friends, family members or work colleagues. Just make sure that everyone is able to complete a suitable hike in cold weather. Then invite the people on your list via WhatsApp group or other medium.

3. plan route

Now we come to the heart of the preparation. Choose a route that is scenic and not too demanding. Make sure there is enough space for games and breaks along the way. A place to shelter is also a good idea. Pro tip: The odd service station along the way can also be a great help.

4. organize a handcart

Get a handcart to transport drinks, snacks and play equipment. Decorate it as you wish with streamers, balloons, banners, stickers, etc. If you don't know anyone with a handcart, you can also hire one relatively cheaply.

5. prepare games

Think about a few games that you would like to play during the cabbage drive. Bear in mind that these are not just for entertainment, but also to determine a Cabbage King or Cabbage Queen.

Here you will find possible games:

Boßeln: Two teams take it in turns to throw a boßel ball (made of plastic or rubber) along a set course. The aim is to complete the course with as few throws as possible. The team that completes the course first wins.
Flunky ball: Two teams face each other with a water bottle in the middle. One player tries to knock the bottle over with a ball. If they succeed, the team is allowed to drink until the bottle is put back in place. The winner is the team that finishes all their drinks first.
Rubber boot toss: Each participant throws a rubber boot as far as possible. The person with the longest throw wins a point for the team. The team with the most points wins.
Tea bag toss: Each player holds a tea bag on a string in their mouth and tries to throw it as far as possible. The hands may not be used. The longest throw wins.
Ice cube gum chewing: A piece of chewing gum is frozen in an ice cube. Players must suck and chew the ice cube until they can make a bubble of gum. The team that forms a bubble first wins.
Pen in the bottle: A pen is tied to a string around the waist and must be sunk into an empty bottle without hands. The fastest team wins.

Of course, there are no limits to your imagination here and you can play any game you feel like.

6. create a shopping list

This is probably the most fun part of the preparation. Create a shopping list with all the things you need for a successful cabbage trip.

• Getränke: Schnaps, Bier, alkoholfreie Alternativen (ggf. an warme Getränke denken) 
• Snacks: belegte Brote, Kekse, Obst, Chips & co.
• Spielutensilien: Bälle, Teebeutel, Kaugummi & alles was ihr sonst noch so spielen wollt 
• Dekorationen: Luftschlangen, Banner, Pinnchen, Becher, Preis für Gewinner:in

7. book restaurant

Experience has shown that this step is best carried out in consultation with all Kohlfahr participants. The costs can be somewhat higher depending on the size of the group. Make sure that the cabbage trip ends in a restaurant that offers kale. Reserve seats in good time and inform the participants of the meeting point. You can find more information and options below.

8. coronation of the cabbage king or queen:

At the end of the games, the person with the most points is crowned Cabbage King. This person is allowed to organize the cabbage trip next year.

The right location for eating kale in Bremen

Here you will find a selection of locations that have served kale in previous years. Depending on your taste and availability, you can find the necessary information on the various restaurants to find the perfect place to end your cabbage trip.
The locations are in no particular order.

PS: Remember to register early enough.

Restaurant

Der Kuhhirte

Venue

Lankenauer Höft

Restaurant

Grothenns Gasthaus

Restaurant

Hal över

Restaurant

Gartelsmann's Gasthof

Restaurant

Schüttinger Gasthausbrauerei

Club

Aladin Music-Hall

Restaurant

Haus am Walde

Venue

Union Brauerei Bremen

Venue

Meierei im Bürgerpark

Or cook your own kale?

And if a visit to a restaurant to eat kale is too expensive for you, but you still want to find a delicious & shared end to your cabbage trip, we have a simple and delicious kale recipe for you here:

🤤 Kale recipe for the cabbage trip

Shopping list (for 4 people):

1.5 kg kale (fresh or frozen)

500 g pork loin

4 cooked sausages (e.g. Pinkel or Bregenwurst)

3 onions

40 ml vegetable oil

Salt

Pepper

2 tbsp mustard (medium hot)

4 tbsp oat flakes

800 g small waxy potatoes

Optional: 150 g streaky bacon

Preparation:

If you are using fresh kale, wash it thoroughly and remove the thick leafy ribs. Cut the kale into thin strips.

Peel and dice the onions.

Heat the oil in a large pan and sauté the onions until translucent.

Add the kale and sauté briefly. Pour in enough water to lightly cover the cabbage.

Slice the smoked pork loin and place it on the cabbage together with the cooked sausages.

Cover the pan and leave everything to simmer over a medium heat for about 45-60 minutes.

In the meantime, wash the potatoes and cook them in a separate pan.

After the cooking time, remove the meat and sausages and keep them warm.

Season the kale with salt, pepper and mustard. Stir in the rolled oats to improve the consistency.

Leave the kale to simmer for another 10 minutes or so until it has the desired consistency.

For the cabbage trip:

Pour the hot kale into preheated thermos flasks or containers.

Pack the meat and sausages separately.

Also take the potatoes with you in a separate container.

Don't forget to take mustard and any additional spices with you.

This recipe is perfect for a cabbage trip as it is easy to transport and tastes delicious on the go. The kale is even better if it is left to infuse a little. Enjoy your meal and have a nice cabbage trip!

🙋‍♀️ And that brings us to the end of our little how-to cabbage tour! I hope you are now well equipped to organize your own unforgettable cabbage tour in Bremen. Whether you opt for a traditional tour or a modern version, the most important thing is that you and your fellow participants have lots of fun.

Don't forget to take care of yourself and your friends, especially if there's a drink or two involved. Enjoy the fresh air, the fun games and, of course, the delicious kale meal at the end of the tour.

Have a great time and make the most of this wonderful North German tradition. Have fun and see you at the next Kohlfahrt!

And for all other events and happenings in Bremen, we recommend our app & website. Also check out our Instagram profile to make sure you don't miss a thing

💜 Stay safe and celebrate properly!

The most frequently asked questions about cabbage trips in Bremen

1. what is a cabbage tour in Bremen?

A "Kohlfahrt", also known as a "Kohltour" or "Grünkohlwanderung", is a traditional North German event that takes place from November to March. It involves groups of friends, families or colleagues pulling a handcart through the wintry countryside to eat kale in a pub. This tradition is particularly popular in Bremen and Oldenburg and often involves fun games and drinking schnapps.

2 When does the cabbage season start in Bremen?

The cabbage season begins with the first frost, typically in November, and lasts until the end of February or beginning of March. This is when the kale is harvested, which is made particularly tasty by the cold.

3. what do you eat on a cabbage trip?

Kale is traditionally served on a cabbage trip, often accompanied by Pinkelwurst, Kassler and Kochwurst. In Bremen, kale is also sometimes called brown cabbage. Many restaurants now also offer vegetarian or vegan alternatives.

4. what are typical games on a cabbage trip?

Typical games during a cabbage drive are teabag tossing, ice cube gum chewing and other fun activities that often take place outdoors. These games are not just for amusement, but also to collect points to determine the cabbage king or queen.

5. how do I plan my own cabbage trip?

To plan a successful cabbage drive, you should start organizing early on. This includes choosing a date and a restaurant as well as getting a handcart and snacks. It is important to prepare a list of games and activities and possibly get decorations for the wagon.