नेपाली
Berlin, July 28: In the forests of Germany’s Harz Mountains, two brothers are keeping alive a centuries-old craft that has nearly disappeared from modern Europe. Immo and Sascha Feldmer continue to produce charcoal using traditional earth kilns, following methods that have been practiced in the region for more than a thousand years.
The family-run business relies on carefully arranged beech wood covered with layers of soil. The wood is allowed to smolder slowly for several weeks under constant supervision, eventually producing high-quality charcoal. The process requires continuous monitoring to prevent the kiln from overheating and turning the wood into ash.
Historically, charcoal played a vital role in the Harz Mountains, where it was used to generate the intense heat needed for smelting metals such as silver, copper, lead, and zinc. As mining declined and industrial production replaced traditional methods, most charcoal-burning businesses disappeared.
Today, only a small number of artisans continue the practice in Germany. The Feldmer family primarily supplies charcoal for household barbecues, emphasizing that their product is made entirely from beech wood rather than the mixed timber commonly used in mass-produced imported charcoal.
To help sustain the business, the family has expanded beyond charcoal production by establishing a museum, a small retail shop, and a restaurant that introduces visitors to the region’s cultural heritage and local cuisine.
The brothers say preserving the traditional craft is just as important as operating a successful business. They hope future generations of their family will continue the work and ensure that this historic skill remains part of Germany’s cultural heritage.
