sweet, sweet love..

Mohn Quark Stollen

I have found the loaf of my dreams. I spotted it one day in the window at my neighbourhood bakery. I could tell it was looking back at me. I smiled. I batted my eye lashes. I blushed. But I went on my way, feeling shy. I don’t usually approach strange loaves. But every day, I kept seeing it there, as fresh and memorable as the day before. I could never tear my eyes away. Until finally, one morning, it was no longer in its usual place. The window seemed somehow empty, even though it was still overflowing with other sweet delights. Crowds still gathered around, pointing and gasping at the wonder that was displayed before them. They did not know how much better it looked when that loaf had been there too.

But now that it was gone, I knew that it was safe for me to go in. It was a hot day, my throat was dry, and I needed a bottle of water. I walked in, took one from the fridge and stood at the counter waiting to pay. My eyes wandered down to the glass display in front of me. There it was. The hair on my arms stood on end. I leaned closer to get a better look. It was perfect and beautiful. Before I knew what was happening the words spilled out of my mouth: One loaf of Mohn Quark Stollen please (in German of course). Mohn and Quark were both unfamiliar words to me. But I didn’t care.

I walked home as fast as I could and carefully unwrapped it. I brought it out to the living room to show my boyfriend. I didn't say anything. I just stood there with the loaf. I think I heard him gasp.
"What is it?" he asked. His eyes were wide and fixated on its beauty.
“I don’t know.” I said. I laid it gently on the coffee table. We stood staring at it for a moment.
Finally, I reached for my computer. I looked up the word Mohn. I looked up the word Quark. What I had purchased was a poppy seed cake with soured/curdled milk turned into a cottage cheese like substance.

“It’s a poppy seed cake.” I told him. The rest could be left unsaid.

We both took a slice, reaching to catch the little crumbs and poppy seeds that fell from our hands.
It was everything I had hoped it would be, and more. It was cake, but it was not cakey. It was a loaf, but it was not loafy. It was sugary but not too sweet. The quark, a beautiful addition, softened the crunch of the poppy seeds. There was a welcome hint of lemon. We savoured every bite. It was most definitely, the loaf of my dreams.