German Asparagus Soup Recipe – Oma's Spargelsuppe (2024)

FAQs

What is white asparagus called in Germany? ›

Asparagus is “spargel” in German and the season is called “Spargelzeit”. White asparagus season in Germany is typically from around mid-April through to 24 June when the country celebrates the nativity of St. John the Baptist.

So Germany imports asparagus to meet the continuously high demand for the healthy stalks. The vegetable's popularity may in part be rooted in its long history as a luxury vegetable. Going back as far as 2000 BCE, the prized vegetable was cultivated by the Ancient Egyptians, the Greeks and the Romans.

It's not just a shortage of fertiliser that has cost asparagus growers in Germany precious time and money in the past season - there is also a shortage of workers. Previously, the country has relied upon foreign workers from Eastern European nations such as Romania to harvest asparagus.

If you've never seen white asparagus, it is exactly like green asparagus but without chlorophyll (the green in plants that helps generate oxygen in the photosynthesis process). It has to do with the deliberate harvesting process where it's grown without sunlight. It's sweeter and more tender than the green variety.

Asparagus is a product grown and consumed all over the world. The main consumer countries are the US, Germany and Spain, with consumption in China now rapidly intensifying.

Spargel does not look appetizing to the untrained eye. It's a variety of white asparagus the color of larvae; when cooked, it dangles limply and is difficult to cut through. But upon taste, it's easy to see why many Germans refer to it as “white gold” and pay more per kilo for it than meat.

Trim the asparagus properly: The tough, woody ends of the asparagus can contribute to the bitter taste. Be sure to trim and discard the ends before using the asparagus in the soup.

In summary, it is safe for dogs to eat asparagus, although it can be tough to chew and digest when it is raw or undercooked – and the tough bit of the stem should always be removed. Just remember to cut it into small bite-size pieces first and always feed in moderation to reduce the risk of illness cause by overeating.

Why do you soak asparagus in water? ›

Soak the asparagus in water for 5-10 minutes to draw out sand lodged in the tips. Swoosh them around a few times to unsettle grit.

Asparagus contains glutathione, a well-known antioxidant that promotes detoxification. It is also a good source of fiber, folate, iron, and vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as being beneficial to those with high blood pressure. Asparagus is also known to promote kidney and bladder function.

The flecks are actually a protein buildup called rutin, a natural flavonoid in asparagus that sometimes reacts harmlessly with the vinegar. Rutin is created within pickled asparagus when asparagus is heated within an acid such as vinegar in the pickling process.

In regard to the minerals in asparagus, it's interesting to note they are most concentrated in the upper sections of the spears. It is also worth noting that green asparagus contains relatively higher nutritional components than white asparagus.

White asparagus

Compared to green asparagus, the locally cultivated so-called "white gold" or "edible ivory" asparagus, also referred to as "the royal vegetable", is believed to be less bitter and much more tender.

Kohlrabi, also known as German turnip, is a vegetable from the same family as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Edible in its entirety, it has leaves that are great in salads, soups, and stews, while the bulbs can be eaten cooked or raw.

Unlike its green counterpart, which grows both in the wild and under cultivation, White asparagus is exclusively a cultivated crop. It is primarily grown in European countries such as France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Greece, with Peru emerging as a leading producer in the Americas.

There are four basic types, which are green, white, purple, and wild. The rest of the varieties are specialty asparagus types which fall into one of the four basic types. Some varieties of asparagus plants can live up to 30 years, making them a top choice for the veggie garden.