der
Eischnee
🍳 What Exactly is Eischnee?
Der Eischnee refers to the foamy mass created when egg whites (das Eiklar) are beaten until stiff. It's an essential ingredient in many baked goods and desserts, such as meringue (das Baiser), soufflés (das Soufflé), or cakes (der Kuchen), providing lightness and volume.
The name is composed of Ei (egg) and Schnee (snow), because the beaten mass resembles freshly fallen snow.
⚠️ Be careful that no egg yolk (das Eigelb) or fat (das Fett) gets into the egg white during beating, otherwise the Eischnee won't become properly stiff!
Article rules for der, die, and das
Precipitation, wind → almost always masculine.
Caution: see exceptions
🧐 Grammar of Eischnee in Detail
Der Eischnee is a masculine noun. It is mostly used in the singular, as it's often considered an uncountable mass.
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Eischnee |
| Genitive | des | Eischnees |
| Dative | dem | Eischnee |
| Accusative | den | Eischnee |
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Eischnees* |
| Genitive | der | Eischnees* |
| Dative | den | Eischnees* |
| Accusative | die | Eischnees* |
* The plural is very rare and usually only used when referring to different types of Eischnee. Often, a description is used instead (e.g., „verschiedene Zubereitungen von Eischnee“ - different preparations of Eischnee).
Example Sentences
- Für das Baiser brauchen wir steif geschlagenen Eischnee.
(For the meringue, we need stiffly beaten egg whites.) - Der Kuchen wird durch den Eischnee besonders luftig.
(The cake becomes particularly airy thanks to the Eischnee.) - Hebe den Eischnee vorsichtig unter den Teig.
(Carefully fold the Eischnee into the batter.) - Die Qualität des Eischnees ist entscheidend für das Gelingen des Soufflés.
(The quality of the Eischnee is crucial for the success of the soufflé.)
🍰 How is Eischnee Used?
Der Eischnee is mainly used in the kitchen (die Küche), especially in baking (das Backen) and preparing desserts (die Süßspeisen):
- As a leavening agent: It makes batters (der Teig) (e.g., for sponge cake) or mixtures (die Masse) (e.g., for mousse) airier.
- As a base for meringue: Dried or baked Eischnee with sugar results in crispy meringue (das Baiser).
- For soufflés: Gives soufflés their characteristic volume.
- As a topping/garnish: Sometimes Eischnee is used for browning (das Überbacken) or garnishing (das Garnieren) (e.g., on pies like lemon meringue pie - Zitronenbaisertorte).
The term is not used figuratively. It always refers to beaten egg whites.
🧠 Mnemonics for 'der Eischnee'
Article Mnemonic: Think of snow in German: der Schnee. Eischnee looks like snow and shares its masculine article. So it's der Ei-Schnee.
Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine whisking egg whites so vigorously they turn into 'egg snow'. It's like making snow (Schnee) from an egg (Ei) – Eischnee.
🔄 Similar and Opposing Terms
Synonyms
- Eiweißschaum: (Egg white foam) A very direct and common term.
- (steif) geschlagenes Eiweiß: (stiffly beaten egg white) A descriptive alternative.
- Baisermasse: (Meringue mixture) Refers specifically to Eischnee mixed with sugar for meringue.
Watch Out for Confusion!
Although sounding similar, don't confuse it with:
😂 A Little Joke
Warum hat der Eischnee keine Geheimnisse?
Weil er so leicht durchschaubar ist, wenn man ihn gegen das Licht hält!
(Why does the Eischnee have no secrets? Because it's so easy to see through when held up to the light! - A bit 'foamy', perhaps... 😉)
✒️ Poem about Eischnee
Aus Eiklar, durch Schlagen geschwind,
entsteht ein Wunder, luftig wie der Wind.
Weiß wie der Schnee, so zart und rein,
der Eischnee muss es sein!
Für Kuchen, Baiser, süßen Traum,
ein luftig-leichter Eiweißschaum.
(From egg white, by beating swift,
A wonder arises, airy like the wind's gift.
White as the snow, so tender and pure,
It must be der Eischnee, for sure!
For cakes, meringue, a sweet dream's foam,
A light and airy egg white dome.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich bin weiß, aber kein Geist.
Ich komme vom Huhn, bin aber kein Braten meist.
Ich werde geschlagen, doch fühl' keinen Schmerz.
Ich mache den Kuchen luftig, mit ganzem Herz.
Was bin ich?
(I am white, but not a ghost.
I come from a chicken, but am usually not a roast.
I get beaten, yet feel no pain.
I make the cake airy, again and again.
What am I?)
Solution: Der Eischnee (whipped egg whites)
✨ Other Interesting Facts
Word Composition:
Der Eischnee is a compound noun (ein Kompositum), composed of:
- Das Ei: (The egg) Refers to the chicken egg, specifically the Eiklar (egg white).
- Der Schnee: (The snow) Describes the white, fluffy consistency of the beaten mass.
Kitchen Tip: Eischnee becomes particularly stiff when beaten in a completely grease-free bowl (preferably metal or glass, not plastic) with clean whisks. A pinch of salt or a few drops of lemon juice can also help stabilize the structure.
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Eischnee?
The German word "Eischnee" is masculine. The correct article is der. Therefore, you say: der Eischnee.