spices & seasoning
German Spices & Seasoning — Premium Brands from Germany
At GermanFoods.shop, our spice collection centres on Fuchs — Germany's leading spice brand — alongside products from Maggi and Alnatura. Whether you need ground paprika, rubbed herbs, whole peppercorns, or specialty blends for Sauerbraten and Bratwurst, you'll find the exact products used in German kitchens. Fuchs offers everything from single-origin spices to complex seasoning mixtures, all from controlled cultivation. We ship directly from Erfurt to the USA, UK and Canada, so you can stock your spice rack with authentic German quality.
Good cooking starts with good spices, and no brand embodies German spice expertise like Fuchs. The Fuchs Gruppe was founded in 1952 by Dieter Fuchs in Dissen am Teutoburger Wald in Lower Saxony. He started with just three employees, personally delivering bags of salt and pepper to customers on foot and by bicycle. Over more than 70 years, that modest beginning has grown into a group operating from 20 locations with over 3,100 employees worldwide, making Fuchs one of Europe's largest spice companies. The headquarters remain in Dissen, where the company still sources, processes and packages its retail spice range.
Understanding how spices are processed helps appreciate the differences on your shelf. Rebeln (coarse rubbing) is a traditional method where semi-dried herbs are passed through rollers to create a coarse, flaky texture. This process preserves the essential oils that carry flavour and aroma. Rubbed herbs like oregano, thyme and marjoram release their character more slowly during cooking than ground versions — ideal for stews, roasts and slow-simmered sauces. Mahlen (grinding), by contrast, produces fine powders using a millstone or modern grinder. Ground spices like paprika, cumin and cinnamon integrate quickly into dishes and are essential for rubs, marinades and doughs.
Fuchs products undergo strict quality controls at every stage — from sourcing raw materials from controlled cultivation to packaging in airtight containers that preserve freshness. The company's retail line covers the entire spectrum: single spices (pepper, paprika, cumin, coriander, nutmeg), dried herbs (basil, oregano, dill, chives, parsley, tarragon, bay leaves, marjoram, thyme), and ready-made seasoning blends for specific dishes such as fish, poultry, pork and game.
Maggi — founded by Swiss entrepreneur Julius Maggi in 1884 — also contributes to our spice range with its iconic liquid seasoning (Maggi Würze), which is a kitchen staple in German households since 1886. Alnatura, founded in 1984, offers certified organic spice options for customers who prioritise organic farming and ingredient purity.
FAQ
What is the difference between rubbed (gerebelt) and ground (gemahlen) herbs?
Rubbed herbs (gerebelt) are coarsely broken by passing semi-dried herbs through rollers. This preserves essential oils and gives a more intense flavour release during cooking. Ground herbs (gemahlen) are milled into a fine powder for quick integration into sauces, doughs and rubs. Both have their place — rubbed for slow-cooked dishes, ground for marinades and baking.
Who is Fuchs Gewürze?
Fuchs was founded in 1952 by Dieter Fuchs in Dissen am Teutoburger Wald, Lower Saxony. Starting with three employees and bicycle deliveries, it has grown into one of Europe's largest spice companies with over 3,100 employees and 20 locations worldwide. Headquarters remain in Dissen.
Are the spices from controlled cultivation?
Yes. Fuchs sources its spices from controlled cultivation with strict quality controls throughout the supply chain — from field to packaging. Alnatura products additionally carry certified organic certification, meeting EU organic farming standards.
What is Maggi Würze?
Maggi Würze (Maggi liquid seasoning) was invented in 1886 by Julius Maggi in Switzerland. It is a dark, savoury seasoning liquid used in soups, stews and sauces throughout Germany. Almost every German kitchen has a bottle, and the distinctive flavour is virtually impossible to Substitute.