Lebkuchen Buying Guide
Shopping for holiday treats ought to be exciting! But the deluge of online information can be overwhelming. We’ve gathered 7 tips to help you navigate the process of buying lebkuchen in the U.S.
1. UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF LEBKUCHEN
First, it’s important to understand that the term "lebkuchen" covers a wide range of baked goods. In a nutshell, Leckerlee’s lebkuchen falls in the category of Oblaten Lebkuchen. It has a white, edible wafer called a Backoblate on the bottom (hence the name) and includes nuts.
German regulations define three classes of Oblaten Lebkuchen based on the minimum weight of nuts required in each:
Leckerlee makes only the highest class of lebkuchen, Nuremberg-style Lebkuchen, also known as Elisenlebkuchen. While most large companies producing Nürnberger Lebkuchen, such as Lebkuchen Schmidt and Wicklein, use the minimum requirement of 25% nuts, Leckerlee boasts a 40% nut content, on par with the finest artisanal lebkuchen bakeries in Nuremberg.
If you’re wondering about the frosted lebkuchen hearts you’ve seen at Oktoberfest events—or perhaps stars or pretzels, sometimes with a fruit filling—you’ve encountered Braune (brown) Lebkuchen. Generally wheat-based and without a wafer bottom, this type of lebkuchen is less expensive than Oblaten Lebkuchen, due to its lack of nuts.
2. CONSIDER SMALL-BATCH VS. MASS PRODUCTION
Amazon, World Market, and other retailers typically sell mass-produced lebkuchen imported from Germany. Machines produce millions of lebkuchen per day, shipping to the U.S. in large loads, usually just once during the holiday season. That means the lebkuchen is likely several months old by the time you eat it.
We bake our lebkuchen in small batches throughout the entire holiday season, so they arrive fresh. We’re sure you’ll be able to taste the difference.
3. CHECK FOR INGREDIENT INTEGRITY
Be sure to check the ingredient label on any lebkuchen you’re considering. Mass-produced lebkuchen typically contain commercial ingredients such as persipan (a cheap substitute for marzipan made from apricot kernels), as well as other unnecessary additives like diglycerides, pyrophosphate, and more. On top of that, name-brand lebkuchen almost always list sugar as the first and most prominent ingredient.
Our first ingredient is almonds, grown on Californian farms committed to sustainable production. We purchase our hazelnut flour from a family-owned business in Oregon that is third-party audited for social responsibility. Our spices are cold-ground to best preserve their natural oils and potency.
At Leckerlee, we take great care to use high-quality ingredients. We are adamant about not using preservatives or additives when possible, and we specially source several ingredients in order to meet this requirement. We also insist on aluminum-free baking powder. Take a look at our full ingredient list here.
4. THINK ABOUT PACKAGING
While packaging is naturally secondary to the lebkuchen, we are proponents of the historical significance and artistic legacy of lebkuchen tins.
That’s why Leckerlee’s tins are thoughtfully designed every year in an impressive range of illustration styles, making the holidays and gift-giving special. Our tins are heavyweight and beautifully embossed, imparting a high level of finish that—in a world rife with disposable plastics—feels distinctly from another era. We intend them to be small objects of art that find a place in the home long after the lebkuchen inside is eaten.
5. COMPARE PRICES
All of the above factors (ingredients, production, presentation, and more) contribute to the quality and therefore value of the lebkuchen you buy. Pay special attention to nut content, then factor in weight to make a fair comparison. Here’s a chart stacking up Leckerlee lebkuchen against some of the most popular alternatives available in the U.S.:
Leckerlee’s premium prices reflect the quality of our lebkuchen, which are made in small batches with high-quality ingredients. While we tend to be more expensive than the imported, mass-produced brands, we offer a fair price for a superior product.
6. CHECK OUT REVIEWS
We believe Leckerlee lebkuchen is hands-down the highest-quality lebkuchen you can buy in the States, and we stand by our product with a 100% money-back guarantee.
Don’t take our word for it! Check out some of the accolades we’ve received over the years from Ruth Reichl, Saveur magazine, and more, as well as verified customer reviews collected over the past decade.
7. STAY IN TOUCH
As a thank you to our incredible customers, Leckerlee offers special promotions and giveaways throughout the holiday season. Be sure to sign up so that you don’t miss out on these limited-time offers, many of which are exclusive to our email list.
First-time customer? Email us at info@leckerlee.com so we can give you a welcome discount for your first purchase!
We’d be delighted to have you join the thousands of customers who order our freshly-baked lebkuchen year after year.
Ready to buy some Leckerlee lebkuchen?
SHOP NOW
