Shallow Pockets Brimming with viele Studentenkuß

When my parents first decided they were coming over to Europe my mom had one demand and one demand only- the trip must include a visit to Heidelberg. A few years back one of my Japanese pen pals from fourth grade stayed over for a night in between connecting flights and, as a thank you, gave my mom a box of Studentenkuß, or 'Student Kisses', as a thank you. These happened to be a very special little chocolate treat that you can only buy in Heidelberg. Mom was hooked, and a vacation was formed.

 

JAW. DROPPED. Heidelberg was beyond beautiful. And autumn was the perfect time of year to see this little gem; all of the leaves were just turning and it reminded me of the north Georgia mountains, with a much better German village than Hellen. Our hotel was located in the depths of the peaks and we had the most magical backyard view of untouched wild woods. A short walk took us into the castle's park and allowed us to absorb the entirety of the town, first from above, and then from along the cobbles.

 

We finally made it to the chocolate shop of mama's dreams- Café Knösel. The story of the Student Kiss:

Everyone liked Fridolin Knösel, the witty, dedicated chocolatier and master confectioner, and his exquisite creations. In particular, the young ladies attending Heidelberg´s finishing schools, loved his sweet chocolate delights and were frequent customers, much to the delight of many students of the university, who would also flock to the store, hoping to exchange furtive glances with the fairer sex. Alas, their ever-watchful governesses were never far away.
These secret longings did not go unnoticed by good-natured Fridolin Knösel. Ingenious as he was, he created one day a particularly delicious chocolate delight, which he impishly called the Student´s Kiss. Given as a present, it was such an exquisite, gallant token of affection that not even the chaperones could object.
At last, the students and young ladies had a discreet way to send a sweet message in the form of a Student´s Kiss.
Much has changed since the days of Fridolin Knösel, yet his descendants continue the family tradition in the little store on Haspelgasse, where they still make Student´s Kisses according to the original recipe from 1863. By hand, of course.

Sweet, right? Oh, the days of wooing by chocolate... whatever happened to that?! I think it should be a reinstated norm!

 

Apparently, Heidelberg is a big-time American tourist stop because it's one of the few cities that wasn't bombed during the world war(s) so it's still quaintly authentic. In fact, it was such a small world that in the tiny pub we had dinner in, at one of the other four tables in the restaurant, was a group of ladies from Atlanta, of all places! [One of them was a Gator, but we'll forgive her for the black&red company she kept.]

 My favorite Bulldog :)

We spent the whole of the next day wandering around the little outdoor market in the town center, hunting for non-heeled boots for mama, and buying way too much chocolate. I know America is known as the hub of obesity but sincerely it's traveling that adds to the waistband, not home!

 

 An innovative way to disguise the holiday-pounds, methinks.

 

 

This store was phenomenal. They had over 75 varieties of hot chocolate- simply choose your bag, get a cup of piping hot milk, and stir. Voila, insta hot chocolate!

 

 

Forrest ran all the way to Germany!