Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva didn’t take that slight lying down. “He should have gone dancing in Pará,” Lula said about the state where Belém is situated. “He should have tasted Pará’s cuisine. Because he would have realized that Berlin doesn’t offer him 10 percent of the quality that the state of Pará offers.”
But which is the better country? POLITICO took (an entirely unscientific) look at five key areas to see whether it’s Berlin or Rio de Janeiro, Beckenbauer or Pelé, and currywurst or feijoada that ultimately comes out on top.
Food and drink
Vegetarians are the biggest losers here.
Germany’s meat-driven cuisine is known for Sauerbraten, a heavily marinated dish usually made with beef and served with Knödel (potato dumplings, since you asked). They’ve also got Currywurst (sliced sausage covered in ketchup and curry powder) and Schnitzel (a thin, breaded slice of fried meat), along with countless ways to prepare potatoes, and also breads. Don’t forget the breads.
Brazil’s cuisine is, somehow, even more meat-heavy. Brazilians love a good churrasco (barbecue) and their daily feijoada (a stew of black beans with pork and beef, served with white rice).
The South American country also offers a dazzling array of fresh juices, made from tropical fruits most tourists have never heard of — and, of course, delicious Caipirinhas if you’re looking for something with a bit more punch. Germany can match that, however, with its world-renowned beer culture (more on that later).