German & Dutch Treats: Pfanni, Pfanner, Daelmans and Conimex
Central European comfort food doesn't get enough attention — potato dumplings, iced tea, stroopwafels and wok sauces with a Dutch-Indonesian twist. Here's the full story behind the brands, and how to actually cook with them.
Pfanni — Germany's potato dumpling specialist
Pfanni has been a fixture of German kitchens since 1954, best known for turning potatoes into quick, ready-to-cook side dishes that would otherwise take an hour of peeling and boiling. It became one of the first genuinely convenient German brands of the post-war period, and it's stayed a household name ever since.
Our shelves carry the Rösti Potato Pancakes (crispy, pan-fried, the German answer to hash browns) and both the Semmel Knödel (bread dumplings, made from stale bread rather than potato) and classic Potato Dumplings — the traditional Bavarian side for a good roast, a goulash, or anything with a rich gravy that needs soaking up.
Pfanner — the iced tea of choice across Central Europe
Pfanner is an Austrian family company, and its Peach and Lemon Lime Ice Teas are the drink you'll find in every fridge from Austria to Germany in summer — lighter and less sweet than most Spanish alternatives, brewed from real tea rather than concentrate. It's a genuine taste of home for Central European expats, and noticeably different from the syrupy iced teas common in Spanish supermarkets.
Daelmans — stroopwafels from Vlissingen since 1904
Daelmans has been baking stroopwafels in Vlissingen, on the Dutch coast, since 1904 — two thin waffles pressed together around a layer of caramel syrup. The classic trick: rest a stroopwafel on top of a hot cup of tea or coffee for a minute so the caramel filling softens from the steam — it's the proper Dutch way to eat one, not straight from the packet.
Conimex — Dutch-Indonesian flavour in a bottle
Conimex reflects a genuinely Dutch food story — wok sauces built on Indonesian recipes brought back through the Netherlands' colonial history with the Dutch East Indies, now a staple of ordinary Dutch home cooking rather than a niche import. The Sweet Chili and Teriyaki & Honey wok sauces are the quickest way to turn a stir-fry into something with real depth, no separate spice shopping required.
Can Pfanni dumplings be made from scratch instead?
Yes, but it takes considerably longer — Pfanni's whole appeal is skipping the peeling, boiling and shaping while getting the same texture, which is why it became a staple rather than a shortcut people felt guilty about.
Is Conimex sauce spicy?
The Sweet Chili is mild and sweet-forward; it's built for flavour rather than heat, so it's safe for most palates.