Finally, a Stereotype that is True

They say that the Dutch are direct, and the Germans, punctual. These statements, paired with my lived experience, have lead me to believe that stereotypes such as these are not only inaccurate, but are in fact the opposite of true. In the six months that I have been across the pond I have missed vital connections due to notorious late German trains (see post Berlout) and fumbled social interactions due to what I now know to be the Dutch tendency to say one thing and mean quite another. 

Two weeks ago my parents came to visit me in Utrecht, and from here, we ventured over to neighboring Belgium for a bit of an adventure. This post will not chronicle the highlights of that trip. This post is dedicated solely to the only true stereotype in Europe. That, is the Belgian waffles. 

Now, I've been burned before by seemingly delicious (Dutch) foods which turned out to be unexciting and unoriginal. This was not the case with the famous Belgian waffle. I've had waffles that claimed Belgian heritage, and I have very delicious waffles (shout out "off the waffle") none of which held a candle to authentic, consumed in Belgium, waffly goodness. 

The first discovery we made (much to my dismay) is that waffles are not a breakfast food. Just as you cannot consume a cappuccino after noon in Italy, likewise you cannot delight in this Belgian delicacy before 12. So, after a four hour delay, we returned to the spot we failed to acquire our waffles at in the morning, making a second attempt at the appropriate hour. 

It was well worth the wait. The difference between a Belgian waffle and a trash waffle is the difference between a crepe and a pancake. These waffles truly were like if you made a crepe into a waffle. They were incredibly light and airy, with a thin layer of crispiness enveloping every nook of the classic waffle shape (that much at least was the same). They don't serve them with maple syrup, instead a light dusting of powdered sugar is all you need (with perhaps a bit of slagroom-- whipped cream) to fill out the delicate sweetness of the dough. I never have, and never will have again, such a delicious breakfast confection. 

Its safe to say my parents agree with the above review, and it was a treat to share the experience with them. Photo credits to my mom (the camera eats first).