I read once the name of the bread came from France, which seems odd, since it is a distinctly German food. The story goes that the Napoleon's horse, Nicol, didn't like to eat raw grain, as other horses do, but preferred hearty grains baked in dark bread with molasses. In French, "bread for Nicol" is "pain por Nicol," or pumpernickel. Or maybe it's just a story?

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