Bäckerei Merzenich
Nougat Pretzel – Nougatbrezel
Raspberry Berliner – Berliner Gezuckert
Almond Horn – Mandelhornchen
With nearly fifty locations Merzenich Bakery is essentially synonymous with Bread in Cologne, but even though the shops have been family-owned since 1896 it should come as no surprise that a company so large is prone to taking shortcuts that compromise both quality and customer service.
Found largely in areas prone to foot traffic, the storefront at Neumarkt most popular due to outdoor seating just steps away from Cologne Cathedral, it was after crossing a line of tourists that products both sweet and savory came into view, a chaotic scene at 15h30 admittedly unexpected and staff struggling to keep up.
Divided across several counters plus a push cart, all offering Bernhard Merzenich’s famous Nougatbrezel but other choices varied, it was after brief survey that three options were selected, an older employee unable to accept payment and thus passing guests off to a younger woman with a sour disposition.
Charged just over €5, and exiting to find seating less frantic, it was minutes later that teeth penetrated a still-warm Doughnut, the Brioche base a little overworked and thus too chewy while perhaps a teaspoon of Jam added almost nothing.
Opting to taste a traditional Almond Horn next, nearby Pigeons far more satisfied by the Berliner than this guest, it was a mistake in retrospect to finish each bite bound by Macaroon-like paste before testing the Nougat Pretzel, because for all its fame the taste was nowhere near on par with other Bakeries in Germany while the texture made it seem likely to have been hanging around for awhile.
www.baeckereimerzenich.de