Every major South African gathering has a precious window of time that merits a significant improvement. It is that two-hour period when the first round of drinks has been poured, the rugby pre-game analysis is screaming on the TV, and the fire is still only a roaring flame that is far from turning into useful coals.
This void is typically filled with a tub of generic dip that everyone tolerates or a depressing bowl of store-bought potato chips.
We believe that your visitors should be upgraded. With our roots in Old World customs and our feet firmly rooted in Johannesburg since 1949, Berliner has the greatest secret weapon for this precise moment. It’s known as Brotzeit in Germany, which means “bread time.” It is a ritualized, incredibly gratifying platter of cured meats, handcrafted cheeses, spreads, and pickles that is meant to be savoured slowly with a refreshing beverage. It is more than simply a snack.
Here’s how to make the best South African Brotzeit board to change the way you host pre-braai parties.
Putting your board together
A fantastic board is all about contrasting textures and using bright, biting acidity to counterbalance the deep, smoky fats of expertly cured meats. This is a spicy, rustic powerhouse; forget about the dainty, fruit-filled boards you see on social media.
The Cured and Smoked Heavyweights
This serves as your platter’s anchor. You want meats with unique personalities rather than typical cold cuts.
- Smoked Kassler Strips: Our Kassler provides a rich, woodsy smoke that establishes the mood when it is chilled and thinly sliced.
- Traditional Landjäger: This cured masterpiece is a semi-dry German sausage. It is firm, seasoned with pepper and caraway, and serves as our native droëwors’ ideal European cousin.
- Gourmet Fleischwurst: When coupled with a block of cheese and a sharp knife, this smooth, garlicky dish is immensely gratifying.
Palate Cleansers (for the acid)
You need components to break through the fat and reset the palate in between bites because German butchery is known for its rich, deep flavours. Add pickled radishes, crunchy gherkins, and a heaping dollop of our superior sauerkraut to fill the voids between your meats. The following mouthful of smoked pork tastes exactly as amazing as the first after the harsh vinegary bite clears the palette.
The Bread Foundation
Without amazing bread, bread time is impossible. The experience will be totally ruined by a weak, mass-produced white bread. A bread that can withstand the heavy meats is what you need. Visit our bakery area to get a dark, real rye loaf or a dense, crusty sourdough. Let your guests create their own open-faced masterpieces by slicing it thickly and letting the butter spread nicely without tearing the crumb at room temperature.
The Spreads
A board that is dry is depressing. You need strong spreads to fill the space between the bread and the protein. Instead of using mayonnaise, choose two other profiles:
- The German Fire: A bowl of genuine, gritty mustard from Berliner. It is crisp, clears the nose, and highlights the finest qualities of any beef or pig product available.
- The Sweet Counterbalance: A local apricot chutney or sweet onion marmalade. This brings the savoury European landscape together by introducing that well-known South African sweetness.
Zero effort, maximum impression
What was the best aspect of the Brotzeit revolution? There is no cooking needed when your visitors are arriving. You’re not nervously checking on the oven or standing over a hot stove, missing the first kick-off.
An hour before kick-off, you just arrange the board, cut the bread, arrange the meats, and let the platter speak for itself. While the braai fire gradually burns down to the ideal white ash, it is an instant conversation starter that puts hunger at bay.
The best place to get all you need
The ingredients needed to create a renowned platter are not available on a typical store shelf. You enter a whole culinary environment when you visit any of our three physical store locations in Johannesburg or explore our online for delivery throughout Gauteng.
We have carefully selected every component under one roof, from the professional trimming of our cured meats to the freshly baked artisanal loaves, deli spreads, and specialty goods. Bring a piece of Old-World workmanship to the lounge table this weekend to surprise your guests and avoid the same old chips.
Which cut or deli item from our counters would you most want to use as the anchor for your board?
