From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Geologically, the Black Forest consists of a cover of sandstone on top of a core of gneiss. During the last ice age, the Würm glaciation, the Black Forest was covered by glaciers; several cirques such as the Mummelsee are remains of this period.

Rivers in the Black Forest include Danube, Enz, Kinzig, Murg, Neckar, and Rench. The Black Forest is part of the continental divide between the Atlantic Ocean watershed (drained by the Rhine) and the Black Sea watershed (drained by the Danube).

Administratively, the Black Forest belongs to the following counties; in the north: Enz, Pforzheim, Rastatt, and Calw; in the middle: Freudenstadt, Ortenaukreis, and Rottweil; in the south: Emmendingen, Schwarzwald-Baar, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Lörrach, and Waldshut. Dialects spoken are Alemannic and Swabian.

The forest mostly consists of pines and firs, some of which are grown in commercial monoculture; the main industry is tourism. Due to logging and land use changes the forest proper is only a fraction of the size it used to be. Moreover, it has suffered serious damage from acid rain. The storm Lothar knocked down trees over hundreds of acres of mountaintops in 1999. This left some of the high peaks and scenic hills bare, with only primary growth shrubs and young fir trees.

Many people say that they call it the black forest mountains because when on the mountain, in the wooded areas, is seems dark from the shadows of all the trees.

The Black Forest is known for its cuckoo clocks, fairy tales, honey, and Black Forest gateau.

List of highest mountains

• Feldberg (1,493 m; 4,898 ft.)
• Herzogenhorn (1,415 m; 4,642 ft.)
• Belchen (1,414 m; 4,639 ft.)
• Schauinsland (1,284 m; 4,212 ft.)
• Kandel (1,241 m; 4,072 ft.)
• Blauen (1,165 m; 3,822 ft.)
• Hornisgrinde (1,164 m; 3,819 ft.)

• The Central Black Forest

  Here you find the Elz and Glotter valleys. Not to forget the picturesque towns Furtwangen and Triberg. In both towns special cuckoo clock museums are waiting for you. In this area you will see also the traditional black forest hats usually with red pom poms, farmhouses with thatch roof, and mountain railways. One of the most scenic railways in europe is The Black Forest Railway (Schwarzwaldbahen, Offenburg-Villingen line), which passes through Triberg.

  Southern Black Forest

  In the Southern Black Forest you'll find the most viewy mountain scenery in the region, culminating in the Feldberg. By the way, the Feldberg is at 4,899 feet the highest mountain in the Black Forest. Two large lakes, the Titisee and the Schluchsee are also in this region. Freiburg is a romantic university city that wins your heart with superb vineyards, an ancient Gothic cathedral, and the Schauinsland Mountain.

  When to Go to the Black Forest in Germany

  The tourist season in Black Forest Germany starts in May. It may last till late October, depending on the weather. In this period innumerable folk festivals take place in addition to many tourist events. We recommend making reservations well in advance for the popular spas and hotels.
  
  Our tip: In early fall and late spring, the Black Forest region is less crowded (exception: during Easter holidays) but just as charming.

   

  Temperate climate

  Germany's climate is temperate, however the south is normally always some degrees warmer than the north. Summers are usually sunny warm. Cold spells in wintertime let the thermometer well fall below freezing especially in the Black Forest.

   

Side Bar: Black Forest Cakes are usually offered to guests in South West Germany with german coffee on sundays at "4 pm teatime".
 

My favorite Black Forest Cakes Recipe I

PASTRY:
1 2/3 c. all-purpose flour
2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 c. white sugar
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups (butter)milk
1/2 c. shortening
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 c. Schwarzwaelder Kirschwasser


 

FILLING:
1 c. sugar powder
1 pinch salt
1 c. heavy whipping cream
1 can (0.5 ltr.) pitted cherries, drained
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tbsp kirschwasser

 

TOPPING for the black forest cake
1 square semisweet chocolate

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line the bottoms of two 8 inch round pans with parchment paper circles (since I didn't have such paper, I just greased the pans). Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and 1 tsp. salt. Set aside.

Cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat well. Add vanilla. Add flour mixture, alternating with milk, beat until combined. Pour into 2 round 8 inch pans. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.

Tip: Check it with a toothpick - inserted into the cake it should come out clean. Cool completely.

Remove paper from under the cakes. Cut each layer in half, horizontally, making 3 or 4 layers total. Sprinkle layers with 1/2 cup Kirschwasser. In a separate bowl, whip the cream to stiff peaks. Beat in 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1 tbsp. Kirschwasser. Add sugar powder, and a pinch of salt. Beat again. Spread first layer of cake with 1/3 of the filling (use 1/2 of the filling if you have only 2 layers instead of 4). Top with 1/3 (2/3) of the cherries. Repeat with the remaining layer(s).

Frost top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with chocolate curls made by using a potato peeler on semisweet baking chocolate. Or you can use the remaining crumbs to sprinkle the sides of the cake.
Now, get your cup of tea or coffee, and Guten Appetit!

 

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Black Forest Cakes

This great-looking black forest cakes are originally called Schwarzwaelder Kirschtorte. For me, this name itself is very juicy and delicious as the cake! It's not at all difficult to bake, so carefully study the following recipes, put on your apron, and let's start! Praise the German cuisine while enjoying these chocolate-cherry cakes ! What a great german gift for every black forest lover!

 

Black Forest Cakes Recipe II

PASTRY:
6 eggs, room temperature
3/4 all-purpose flour
1 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. cocoa
1/2 c. margarine or butter or, melted and cooled
1 tsp vanilla
 

 

Preheat oven to 350F. Beat eggs in mixing bowl until frothy. Gradually add sugar beating until light colored and thick. Preheat oven to 350 F. Beat eggs in mixing bowl until frothy. Gradually add sugar beating until light colored and thick.
 

Sift flour and cocoa over batter 1/2 at a time. Gently fold in after each addition.

Fold butter and vanilla in gradually. Divide batter among 3 greased round 8 inch pans. Bake in oven for about 20 to 30 minutes until and inserted wooden pick comes out clean. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Turn onto racks to cool.

 

FILLING:
2 14-oz cans cherries, drained,
reserve juice and a few whole cherries
1/4 cup Kirsch liqueur or sherry
reserved cherry juice
2 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
2 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup cocoa
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
 

 

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 cup prepared coffee
1 semisweet baking chocolate square
 

After draining cherries remove the whole cherries for garnish and cut the rest in half, removing stones. Reserve 15 to 20 halves to press into icing rims.

 

Sprinkle kirsch over cake layers. Use more if you like.

 

 

Put cherry juice, cornstarch, sugar and lemon juice into small saucepan. Whisk together over medium heat until it boils and thickens. Cool. Stir in cherry halves.

Beat cream in mixing bowl until fairly thick. Add cocoa, sugar and vanilla. Beat until stiff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mix all ingredients together well adding small amounts of coffee or icing sugar as needed to make proper consisitency for piping. Now pipe a rim of icing around outside edge of 1 cake layer on serving plate. Spoon 1/2 thickened cherries in center. Press a few cherry halves down slightly in icing rim. Spoon about 1/3 whipped cream over top. Repeat with second layer.

 

Spread remaining icing on third layer and place on top. Cover with remaining 1/3 whipped cream. Garnish with whole cherries arranged in a circle.

Warm chocolate square slightly. Using vegetable peeler, peel chocolate forming curls. Put these in centre of cherries.

 

Enjoy your black forest cakes!