Description
The Halberstädter Würstchen PGI is a sausage in pork and beef with which a natural casing is filled, smoked and stored in a pot.
Production Area
The production area of Halberstädter Würstchen PGI covers the municipal area of Halberstadt, in the Federal State of Sachsen-Anhalt (Saxony- Anhalt).
Production Method
The sausage has to consist of 45% pork, whilst beef can be in maximum percentage of 15% as well as pig's grease and lard. The meats are spiced with the addition of white pepper and nutmeg. Then the dough is used to fill a sheep's intestine. For smoking, the chimneys must consist of cemented refractory stones able to absorb the harmful smoking substances and to release only the aromatic ones. The chimneys are fed only with woods and beech wood sawdust, and the process develops in more phases with a low combustion. The smoke density is variable and the temperatures go from 75 up to and over 110°C. The smoking process lasts from 40 to 50 days.
Appearance and Flavour
Halberstädter Würstchen PGI is a sausage of 50-90 gr, 12-18 cm long. The colour is dark and the flavour is strongly smoked.
History
This particular sausage has been produced in Halberstadt for more than a century, and in 1883, delicatessen master Friedrich Heine proposed it for the first time to his fellow citizens. Immediately appreciated, in a short time it has become one of the most refined and famous products also at an international level and won important prizes in culinary competitions. At the beginning of the 20th century, Heine's art has already become also a very important industry as regards both its big size and modern systems - which, despite its upgrading, continued to follow the traditional working process - and also due to the role covered in the socio-economical fabric of the area. Since by now 100 years, Halberstädter Würstchen has been a usual dish of all Saxon restaurants.
Gastronomy
Halberstädter Würstchen PGI has to be stored in its original package which, once opened, has to be stored in refrigerator. It can be consumed raw or roasted. Plus, it is used as an ingredient for many recipes. A cool beer is the ideal combination, but for people who prefer wine, a glass of red wine is also suitable.
Marketing
The product is sold as Halberstädter Würstchen PGI. It is sold in pots with a weight of about 200 gr or more.
Distinctive Features
The Halberstädter Würstchen PGI can bear very high smoking temperatures thanks to the stability of the dough and the control of the humidity level inside the ovens.
