🥃 Münchener Kümmel
Münchener Kümmel is a caraway liqueur from Munich: an EU protected name since 12.06.1989 in the liqueur category; since 2020 the spelling 'Münchner Kümmel' is also allowed.
Münchener Kümmel is a caraway-flavoured liqueur from Munich and the surrounding districts of Bavaria. It is one of three German protected kümmel names, alongside Berlin and Hamburg. All three are registered in the EU as liqueurs and have been protected since 12 June 1989, when the first EU-wide rules on spirit drinks took effect.
What kümmel is. The main flavour comes from caraway (Carum carvi): a spirit of agricultural origin is flavoured with caraway seed or its distillate. A caraway spirit drink in the EU has at least 30% ABV, and caraway must predominate. If sugars reach at least 100 g/l, the drink becomes a liqueur of at least 15% ABV.
The Munich name. According to the technical documentation Germany submitted to the European Commission, kümmel has been made in Munich and nearby districts since the early 19th century. In 2017 Germany asked for the specification to be amended, and Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/2079 of 8 December 2020 approved it. Since then the name may be written in two ways: 'Münchener Kümmel' or 'Münchner Kümmel'.
Relatives. The Berlin and Hamburg kümmels have similar rules: caraway taste, no colourings, from 32% ABV. Caraway also appears in Scandinavian akvavit, but there it is paired with dill. Kümmel is traditionally drunk in a small glass after a rich meal, as a digestif.
Why this matters to you. The name 'Münchener Kümmel' or 'Münchner Kümmel' guarantees Munich origin, but not strength: check the % ABV on the label. Caraway does not make the drink medicinal; in the EU, drinks above 1.2% ABV may not be claimed to be beneficial to health. WHO reminds that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.
Facts
| EU category | liqueur (cat. 32 under Reg. 110/2008); EU PGI |
|---|---|
| Raw material | spirit of agricultural origin, caraway (Carum carvi), sugar |
| Legal basis | EU PGI since 12.06.1989; amended by Reg. (EU) 2020/2079 |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Münchener Kümmel → kind of → 🌱 Caraway spirits and aquavit → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Related to
- 🥃 Digestif, 🌍 Central Europe
- Part of
- 🥃 Kümmel, 🍸 Liqueurs, 🌱 Caraway spirits and aquavit
- Similar and different
- 🥃 Berliner Kümmel, 🥃 Hamburger Kümmel, 🥃 Bayerischer Kräuterlikör
Frequently asked questions
What is Münchener Kümmel?
A caraway-flavoured liqueur from Munich and the surrounding districts of Bavaria; EU protected name since 12 June 1989.
What is the difference between 'Münchener' and 'Münchner Kümmel'?
None: since 2020 Regulation (EU) 2020/2079 allows both spellings of the same protected name.
Does kümmel aid digestion?
Such claims are banned in the EU for drinks above 1.2% ABV. Kümmel is traditionally drunk after food, but it is still alcohol.
What is the ABV of kümmel?
A caraway spirit drink in the EU is at least 30% ABV, a liqueur at least 15%; the exact strength of Münchener Kümmel is stated by the producer.
Which other kümmels have protected names?
Berliner Kümmel and Hamburger Kümmel, both protected since 1989.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🌍 Central Europe — Curd cheese (quark), cheeses and butter in peasant cooking.
- 🥃 Digestif — A small serving of brandy, grappa, amaro or liqueur at the end of a meal; French digestif, Italian digestivo. A custom, not an EU category.
- 🥃 Bayerischer Kräuterlikör — Protected EU geographical indication for herbal liqueurs of Bavaria: spirit infusions of herbs, roots, flowers and spices, sweetened with sugar or honey; at least 15 % vol.
- 🍷 Drunk driving — Never drive after drinking wine: alcohol slows your reactions.
Similar
🥃 Hamburger Kümmel · 🥃 Berliner Kümmel · 🥃 Chiemseer Klosterlikör · 🥃 Benediktbeurer Klosterlikör · 🥃 Steinfelder Magenbitter · 🥃 Licor de hierbas de Galicia
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III as at 31.01.2020 (legislation.gov.uk): Germany, 32. Liqueur — Berliner Kümmel, Hamburger Kümmel, Münchener Kümmel
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2079 of 8 December 2020 approving amendments to the specification of the GI 'Münchener Kümmel' (application of Germany 28.09.2017; name now 'Münchener Kümmel'/'Münchner Kümmel')
- GOV.UK Protected food and drink names: Münchener Kümmel — GI, Germany, category 32 liqueur, originally registered in the EU 12.06.1989
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks, Annex I: cat. 23 caraway-flavoured spirit drink or Kümmel (min. 30 %, caraway predominant), cat. 33 liqueur (min. 15 %, sugar from 100 g/l)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)