Pumpernickel is a Westphalian speciality and is made with course rye flour and baked from 16 to 24 hours to achieve the dark brown, almost black color. There is very little crust and it is traditionally sliced thin. This dense hearty bread is slightly sweet and sour in taste.
It can be served instead of crackers with cheese, or topped with vegetable spreads, cheese spreads, patés, cured meats and smoked fish. The dense, slightly sour taste makes it a perfect foil to smoked salmon with a dollop of crème fraiche or clotted cream.