Asparagus season in germany

Germans are so obsessed with spargel white asparagus, there are facebook groups and websitesdedicated to the konigliche gemuse king of vegetables. The white asparagus asparagus officinalis or spargel as it is called here is by all. During spargelzeit, the average german enjoys the delicate flavor of this tender spring vegetable at least once a day. The king is back white asparagus season in germany vbt. Jul 02, 2014 to obtain the white, tender and somewhat sweet version of asparagus, farmers limit the plants light intake, burying it like a treasure under mounds of soil. What a pity that german asparagus harvesting season is so short, ending officially on the 24th of june. It begins mid april and ends with a bang on june 24th st johns day. Spargelzeit asparagus season whips germans into a frenzy of indulgence of the most wholesome variety for two months of every year. But fans can expect to dig deep into their wallets for an early taste. In fact, an entire asparagus eating etiquette has been developed for spargelzeit, or asparagus season. Mar 26, 2020 german asparagus season faces peril as coronavirus shuts out pickers ernstaugust winkelmann, whose farm in beelitz southwest of berlin produces about 6,000 tons of asparagus each season, says he. The classic recipe involves either hollandaise sauce or cooking the asparagus in broth with a bit of ham or bacon.

The german springtime passion for white asparagus results in an. It needs to be peeled and is cooked longer than the green variety thats sold in canada and. Spargelzeit in germany begins in midapril until june 24th, the. Apr 05, 2019 when asparagus season begins, germany loses its mind. The vegetable is so revered, villages hold asparagus festivals and even crown an asparagus queen. John the baptists feast day june 24, and for those weeks the country is gripped by asparagus fever. The average german eats asparagus at least once a day in season, which amounts to well over 70,000 tons a year, according to cma global partners an importer and trade promotion firm in washington, d. Spargelzeit is one of the most important dates on the german culinary calendar. How to cook asparagus germanstyle put an asparagus cooker steamer or a large pot of water on high to bring to a boil. Spargelzeit, or white asparagus season, officially begins in april, and harvesting finishes punctually on 24 june, the christian celebration of the.

Roadside stands, farmers markets, and supermarkets offer a variety of white asparagus in different sizes, at prices to match. When the vegetable is in season, theres a flurry of. May traditionally marks the delightful peak of the german asparagus season. It was not only delicious but it was a great medicinal treatment for almost any ailment. German growers of white asparagus, an expensive delicacy savoured by food lovers in spring, fear this years harvest may go to waste as. German asparagus season faces peril as coronavirus. The asparagus plant is a perennial that develops multiple edible shoots which are harvested in spring as asparagus. Germans are so obsessed with spargel white asparagus that there are facebook groups and websites dedicated to the konigliche gemuse royal vegetable. May, 2015 for germans the spargelzeit, or the white asparagus season, is an eagerly anticipated sign of spring. The spargelzeit asparagus season a national obsession. It was once classified in the lily family, like the related allium species, onions and garlic.

Today, one of our culinary instructors, sabine vaughn, taught me how she grew up eating white asparagus in germany. Jun 22, 2015 in germany, seasonal eating as way of life and excuse to celebrate. The asparagus stalks should be firm and stocky, and the thinner the skin, the higher the value of the asparagus. Gourmets know that it tastes best when picked in the morning, eaten at midday. German asparagus season faces peril as coronavirus shuts out pickers ernstaugust winkelmann, whose farm in beelitz southwest of berlin produces about 6,000 tons of asparagus each season, says he.

Berlin reuters german growers of white asparagus, an expensive delicacy savoured by food lovers in spring, fear this years harvest may go to waste. Some traditional german restaurants often have a special menu designed just for asparagus season. With the first tips surfacing across some states, the season looks to have. It really does come in all shapes and sizes as shown below. In germany, spargelzeit asparagus season is a springtime phenomenon through april and may, asparagus is available in markets, at road side stands, and on restaurant and home men. What has people in german all excited in the spring. Traditional german asparagus recipes for spring the spruce. Discovering the almost emotional german relationship with this flowering perennial is one of the standard ritesofpassage for a foreigner living here and relived to some degree each spring. The start of the season coincides pleasingly with the first rays of warm sunshine that follow a. There are even beauty competitions to find the next asparagus queen of the region, and you can basically find asparagus at every turn. May 21, 2010 spargel shpagel is the german name for asparagus and if you have been to germany in spring you know that april marks the beginning of spargelzeit asparagus season.

Most traditional german restaurants will sell white asparagus during the season. While white asparagus is definitely not as popular in the states as it is in germany, its still one of my favorites and i had to figure out a recipe to post. The annual harvesting of germany s king of vegetables begins in april and finishes on the 24 june, the day of the christian celebration of the. May 25, 2011 in germany, it is now spargelzeit asparagus season. Heres why germans go so completely crazy for asparagus. It officially started in states across the federal republic. Germany s agriculture minister wants asylum seekers to help save harvest season frey lindsay senior contributor opinions expressed by forbes contributors are their own.

White asparagus where it comes from, what it is, all the. Apr 23, 2017 the asparagus stalks should be firm and stocky, and the thinner the skin, the higher the value of the asparagus. John the baptists feast day june 24, and during this time the country is gripped by asparagus fever. She replicated her mothers traditional recipe for boiled white asparagus accompanied wi. As for how to eat the popular vegetable, there are as many methods as there are people cooking it.

But really, there is no such thing as an inappropriate use of spargel. The germans are mad about white asparagus, the vegetable of kings. Welcome to german spargel season join in as steen hanssens gives us the lowdown on how to best enjoy this lovely delicacy. Spargels short season is what makes it all the more coveted. Germany s white asparagus is grown entirely covered in soil that protects the slender stalks from sunlight and prevents them from turning green asparagus is harvested using a special knife. Green and purple asparagus is available, but most only buy the white, claiming that its the most flavorful. German asparagus season faces peril as coronavirus shuts out. A lot of care goes into harvesting and preparing white asparagus, or spargel, since it is, for the most part, harvested by hand in germany. How long can white asparagus be kept in the fridge or freezer. The green variety is more popular in north america and great britain, and tends to be available in supermarkets yearround. The germans passion for white asparagus is celebrated in museums. Many restaurants even have a special spargel menu that only has asparagus dishes on it.

The language and culture you need to travel with confidence in germany and austria english and german edition when the spargels or asparagus tips pop up from the ground in the spring it is a way for germans to say the joy of spring is here. With the hand on heart, germans cannot live without asparagus or spargel in german. Late spring is undoubtedly one of the best times to visit the city. Whereas green asparagus is available in the us yearround, white asparagus in germany is very seasonal.

Mar 30, 2015 long, thick spears of white asparagus grown under mounds of earth and served up with butter and ham. When its asparagus season in germany, you can find it for sale in every market and roadside stands. Spargel german white asparagus eckerts family farms and. With the first tips surfacing across some states, the season looks to have arrived early. May 14, 2019 white asparagus season is celebrated with a passion in germany, and ive come to the flat, castlefilled region of munsterland, with its maritime climate and sandy soil prime for the spring. Virus chaos snarls farm workers as new season buds in europe germany s harvest of white asparagus is providing a first test of the fallout from the coronavirus crisis on a european farming sector. A bit of a relieve is underway with thousands of seasonal workers being flown in in april and may to help harvest the white gold.

The german spargel obsession no ordinary homestead. May, 2019 white asparagus season in germany is an important time in our culinary calendar. The season of spargelzeit, literally, asparagus time begins in april and traditionally lasts until june 24, the feast of st. It is traditionally cooked, then drenched in either butter or. Seasonal calendar for fruits and vegetables for westernnorthern europe jan feb mar april may june july aug sept oct nov dec beetroot red cabbage cucumbers black salsify celeriac asparagus spinach swedes turnips tomatoes jerusalem artichoke white and pointed cabbage savoy cabbage maize, sweet corn courgettes onions leaf lettuce batavia oak. White asparagus is the preferred variety in germany, where its commonly known as white gold. Berlin german growers of white asparagus, an expensive delicacy savored by food lovers in spring, fear this years harvest may go to waste as coronavirus lockdowns shut out seasonal pickers. The german asparagus season is short, running from midapril depending on temperatures, until the 24 june, johannes day john the baptist day. Gently place asparagus into the water and, once it is boiling again, reduce heat and simmer. It is also a socalled spargelzeit for germans, which means asparagus season.

If you want to know how to cook asparagus and are looking for an asparagus recipe, then we have it all here. Jun 14, 2016 its spring in germany and also spargelzeit, asparagus season. White asparagus season in germany is an important time in our culinary calendar. The salt many fruit and vegetables just arent available yearround in german grocery stores. White asparagus is ubiquitous in germany during springtime. In germany, seasonal eating as way of life and excuse to. Asparagus, or garden asparagus, folk name sparrow grass, scientific name asparagus officinalis, is a perennial flowering plant species in the genus asparagus. Typically, the spears are cut off slightly below the earths surface to avoid damaging underground roots. Just as apples are a sign of fall season, asparagus marks the. During the german spargelsaison or spargelzeit asparagus season or asparagus time, the asparagus season that traditionally finishes on 24 june, roadside stands and openair markets sell about half of the countrys white asparagus consumption. Germanys agriculture minister wants asylum seekers to. Asparagus season has been known to put germany into a spin.

The classic recipe involves either hollandaise sauce or. Share this story on facebook share this story on twitter. Spargel season is slowly beginning here in germany, which generally goes handinhand with strawberry season. Spargelanbau is the german expression for asparagus cultivation. Apr 23, 2015 it is white asparagus season here at eckerts in belleville and across the globe, in germany. Apr 24, 2012 apple and grape harvests symbolize autumn in germany, and spargelzeit, the two month white asparagus season, is an eagerly anticipated sign of spring. Seasonal calendar for fruits and vegetables for western. During this time, asparagus dishes are on the menu at many restaurants and homes in germany.

Rachel stewart heads out into the fields to find out what. White asparagus season is celebrated with a passion in germany, and ive come to the flat, castlefilled region of munsterland, with its maritime climate and sandy soil prime for the spring vegetables production, to find out why. Its the time of the year when germans go mad for the tender white spears of asparagus, enjoying them in myriad dishes. Denying the spears daylight as they grow prevents photosynthesis from taking place and this is the process that produces the green colouring in plants. Just as apples are a sign of fall season, asparagus marks the beginning of spring. The real reason germans are so crazy about asparagus. For germans the spargelzeit, or the white asparagus season, is an eagerly anticipated sign of spring.

Text by steen hanssen illustration by johanna kindvall. In germany, it is now spargelzeit asparagus season. It is no exaggeration to say it appears on every menu, and spargel or asparagus stands pop up on street cornersa very german thing. You can usually spot the first bundles white asparagus spargel at german farmers markets in the middle of march, but at staggeringly high prices, since the season is yet to officially begin. German asparagus season faces peril as coronavirus shuts out pickers 3 min read an aerial picture shows an asparagus field near dormagen, germany, march 26, 2020. During this period, more asparagus is eaten per capita in germany than almost every other country switzerland currently holds the record. May 16, 2017 germanys famous asparagus season posted by larissa on may 16, 2017 in practice, traditions i hadnt actually heard about this until i moved here, even when i was a child and visited germany i didnt know about spargelzeit asparagus season perhaps because i never visited during the season. An ode to germany s favorite vegetable the germans are never happier than when asparagus season rolls around. Green asparagus is called grunspargel or gruner spargel and is harder to find in germany. An aerial picture shows an asparagus field near dormagen, germany, march 26, 2020. The entire country goes mad for this plant, the white variety in particular. In season, spargel is on every menu and grocery store aisle during the spring spargelzeit. Germanys famous asparagus season german language blog. Apple and grape harvests symbolize autumn in germany, and spargelzeit, the two month white asparagus season, is an eagerly anticipated sign of spring.

Spargel shpagel is the german name for asparagus and if you have been to germany in spring you know that april marks the beginning of spargelzeit asparagus season. Restaurants all over germany started putting out their menu boards celebrating this spring vegetable that is only available for a short period of time. Virus chaos snarls farm workers as new season buds in. Asparagus in germany home schnitzelbahn food, travel. Eating fresh white asparagus in season is a cultural thing in germany, specific to a certain time on the calendar sort of like eating chileconqueso and tortilla chips on super bowl sunday in america. Spargel is ubiquitous around german and swiss markets until june 24 th. Everything you need to know about german white asparagus. From midapril to 24 june every year, germans go mad for. Spargelzeit, or white asparagus season, officially begins in april, and harvesting finishes punctually on 24 june, the christian celebration of the nativity of john the baptist. Only wholesalers who are really strapped for cash buy the spanish or greek stock as german asparagus is far more expensive.

When german asparagus is available, no one even looks at the products of other countries. German asparagus season faces peril as coronavirus shuts. White asparagus is the same as green asparagus but grown without daylight. Spargel is on every menu and grocery store aisle during the spargelzeit spring asparagus seasonthe veggie is deliciously unavoidable. The germans are never happier than when asparagus season rolls around. But what is all the fuss about its spargelzeit tshirts now available until end of spargel season. It is no exaggeration to say it appears on every menu, and spargel or asparag. Before it made its way to germany it was cultivated in ancient rome. As apples mark the fall season, nothing epitomizes spring like the revered white stalks of spargel asparagus. Germany produces only about 60,000 tons of asparagus a year, meaning much of the adored vegetable is imported.

Asparagus recipes, fresh for the season if its between about midapril and late june in germany, its spargelzeit. Then with the wave of a magic wand, the season officially ends with prussian precision. Documentarily it is indicated that the roots of german asparagus were found somewhere around stuttgart, where it has been raised since the 1500s. At the moment, a lot of what is available is still from france especially the strawberries but the first devilishly expensive german strawberries are also hitting the markets and it will be no time at all before there are spargel. Traveling along the asparagus road in germany garden. Wrap the unpeeled asparagus in a moist towel, and it will stay fresh in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator for up to four days. Prepared simply as asparagus with melted butter, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, with salmon or ham, new potatoes. Are western europes food supplies worth more than east. When buying asparagus during spargelzeit, freshness is the key to perfect flavor and texture.

White asparagus what is white asparagus and how is it grown. A favorite among the residents is my creamy white asparagus crepe, a specialty of lake constance. In ancient times, asparagus has been cherished for its delicate flavor and originally cultivated by ancient romans, greeks, and egyptians. Depending on the weather, the season for asparagus begins some time in april and lasts until st. Wild asparagus is so thin, about the diameter of a feather spine, but through farming techniques thicker and thicker varieties were developed. The asparagus season begins in april and runs through june. Mar 26, 2020 ernstaugust winkelmann, whose farm in beelitz southwest of berlin produces about 6,000 tons of asparagus each season, says he is short of 500 pickers and risks having no choice but to leave the.