Spargelfest

About Spargelfest

Spargelfest (Asparagus Festival) is a beloved German cultural tradition celebrating the annual white asparagus (Spargel) harvest, which typically runs from mid-April to June 24th (the feast day of St. John the Baptist). During this period, towns and cities across Germany, particularly in regions known for asparagus cultivation such as Lower Saxony, Baden-Württemberg, and Brandenburg, host festive celebrations dedicated to this prized vegetable, often referred to as "white gold" or the "royal vegetable." German white asparagus differs from the green variety commonly found elsewhere, as it is grown underground to prevent photosynthesis, resulting in its distinctive white color, tender texture, and mild, subtle flavor. Spargelfest celebrations typically include asparagus markets, cooking demonstrations, asparagus peeling competitions, the crowning of an asparagus queen (Spargelkönigin), and special menus featuring asparagus prepared in various ways - most traditionally served with hollandaise sauce, boiled potatoes, and ham. During asparagus season, Germans consume the vegetable with remarkable enthusiasm, with the average German eating 1.5 kg of asparagus during the short season. The town of Beelitz in Brandenburg is particularly famous for its asparagus festival and production, while Schwäbisch Gmünd hosts one of the largest asparagus festivals in Baden-Württemberg.