Götterspeise

Götterspeise is the German name for a dessert made of gelatine or other gelling agent, sugar, flavourings and food colouring, it is similar or identical to jelly or jello and other gelatin desserts. The name refers to the food of the Greek gods. Other German names include Wackelpudding or Wackelpeter ; green Götterspeise is also known as Froschsülze. Götterspeise is usually eaten with whipped cream or vanilla sauce. The best-known flavours are the following:

Woodruff – green
Raspberry – red
Cherry – red
Lemon – yellow

The green Götterspeise is not coloured with woodruff, the latter only gives the dessert its characteristic aroma. Because the coumarin contained in woodruff is toxic, only artificial woodruff flavouring is used in the trade.
A special type of Götterspeise is the triple-layered and three-coloured Ampelpudding, which is made using three layers of separately cooled flavours.

Food colouring

Götterspeise is usually coloured with artificial food colouring, azo compounds often being used.

red colouring: azorubine, cochineal red A, brilliant blue FCF
yellow colouring: sunset yellow FCF, Quinoline Yellow WS
green colouring: Quinoline Yellow WS, patent blue V, sunset yellow FCF

Origin of the name ''Wackelpeter''

The name Wackelpeter has its origins in the 19th century, when the name "Peter" was often used as a nickname to describe something humorously. Moreover, the gelatine mass of the pudding wobbles when shaken. Wackelpeter or Wackelpudding also means a pudding.