# Sweet and sour bean soup - East Germany
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-and-sour-bean-soup-east-germany/557602
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [October 18, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-and-sour-bean-soup-east-germany/557602 "2010-10-18T22:21:36Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)
#### Post date: [October 18, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-and-sour-bean-soup-east-germany/557602/1 "2010-10-18T22:21:36Z")
I was watching an old East German movie and one scene they were _serving sweet and sour bean soup_. [The movie was made and banned in 1965 and the setting would have probably been early 1960s. Not a bad movie. [The Rabbit Is Me](http://www.netflix.com/Movie/The-Rabbit-Is-Me/70089561?trkid=190393) should you be interested in that sort of thing.]
Google has a few recipes but I was wondering what sort of beans they would have been using?
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### Author:  [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-and-sour-bean-soup-east-germany/557602/2 "2010-10-19T01:32:17Z")
Sounds good - I’d try it.
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### Author:  [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-and-sour-bean-soup-east-germany/557602/3 "2010-10-19T01:52:04Z")
I think you mean Linsensuppe (lentil soup) - quite popular in both East and West Germany back then, and even today!
[Here is a recipe](http://homecooking.about.com/od/soups/r/blss160.htm) that looks like what I remember from back then (well, not in the 60’s but in the late 70’s and early 80’s).
Great flavor and perfect for cool/cold nights to warm you right up. Smells great while cooking as well!
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### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2010, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-and-sour-bean-soup-east-germany/557602/4 "2010-10-19T02:12:39Z")
> [@DMark](#):
>
> I think you mean Linsensuppe (lentil soup) - quite popular in both East and West Germany back then, and even today!
>
> [Here is a recipe](http://homecooking.about.com/od/soups/r/blss160.htm) that looks like what I remember from back then (well, not in the 60’s but in the late 70’s and early 80’s).
>
> Great flavor and perfect for cool/cold nights to warm you right up. Smells great while cooking as well!
That sounds like a good soup but how is it sweet and sour? The only flavorings are nutmeg and thyme.
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### Author:  [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)
#### Post date: [October 19, 2010, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sweet-and-sour-bean-soup-east-germany/557602/5 "2010-10-19T06:20:25Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> That sounds like a good soup but how is it sweet and sour? The only flavorings are nutmeg and thyme.
Good point - [here is the recipe](http://www.chefkoch.de/rezepte/735351176151898/Axels-Linsensuppe-suess-sauer.html) (in German) with a photo.
I think the only real difference to the other recipe is that they add sugar and vinegar - but that is what I meant.