Germany Guide
Schleswig-Holstein
JG Niederegger-Café
Address: Breite Strasse 89
Opening time: Mon– Fri 9am–7pm, Sat 9am–6pm, Sun 10am–6pm
Price: Free
Lübeck is to marzipan what Dijon is to mustard, and opposite the Rathaus is JG Niederegger-Café – shop, café and, in a Marzipan Salon above, a museum that combines modest history and a puff piece on the company with gloriously silly marzipan sculpture. Lübeck tourist authorities would love to believe a yarn that a town baker confected the delicacy during a siege with his last four ingredients – sugar, almonds, eggs and rose water. Another tall tale that describes it as the bread of St Mark (marcus panis) explains the sugary loaves on sale inside. Facts – or at least guild records – show Lübeckers have imported almonds, the principal ingredient, since at least 1530, and today Lübecker marzipan is guarded with strict purity laws.