Springtime in stems with local flavors
It announces the return of the beautiful days and, in Alsace, is synonymous with greed. Asparagus is a local product with excellent nutritional and medicinal values.
In Alsace, the asparagus shows its nose from the first days of April and scrolls in our plates all spring.
In 2021, the region celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the creation of the Association for the Promotion of the Asparagus of Alsace. Since 1991, a demanding approach and controls have been put in place to ensure exceptional taste and nutritional qualities.
Moreover, Alsace has a total of 225 producers!
The Association pour la Promotion de l’Asperge d’Alsace aims to promote and certify a policy of quality production.
In collaboration with Alsace Qualité, the association ensures reasoned cultivation practices, in favor of the environment, the producer and the consumer.
The Association pour la Promotion de l’Asperge d’Alsace plays a crucial role in promoting this emblematic regional vegetable. By highlighting the specific characteristics and qualities of Alsatian asparagus, the association aims to reinforce its reputation and guarantee that production complies with the strictest standards.
In partnership with Alsace Qualité, an organization renowned for its commitment to high-quality regional products, the association ensures that every stage of asparagus production meets rigorous criteria. This includes reasoned cultivation practices that minimize environmental impact while maximizing the quality of the end product.
To preserve its milky skin, white asparagus never sees the sun. In contrast, green asparagus is grown in the open air. The more asparagus is exposed to light, the more it develops a characteristic coloration. As for purple asparagus, it pierces the mound of earth and unfurls in the sun, offering its rich, subtle nuances.
White asparagus, delicate and tender, is grown entirely underground, protected from light to preserve its pale hue and mild flavor. This cultivation process, known as blanching, preserves the milky skin and delicate flavor.
Green asparagus, on the other hand, is harvested when the tips begin to emerge above ground. Exposed to daylight, it develops a light to dark green pigmentation depending on the length of exposure to the sun, offering a more pronounced flavor and a slightly more fibrous texture than white asparagus.
Purple asparagus is harvested at an intermediate stage, when its purple tips and stalks are partially exposed to the sun. This variety offers a combination of sweet and slightly bitter flavors, as well as an attractive color that sets it apart on shelves and in dishes.
In France, at the end of the nineteenth century, the Alsatian pastor Louis Gustave Heyler saw in the Algerian “Sekkoum” a way to make his parish prosper.
Originally from Hoerdt, Heyler convinced the farmers by pointing out the similarities between the dry, sandy soils of the two regions. Thanks to his efforts, this small village in the Bas-Rhin soon became famous as the “first asparagus capital”.
In the 20th century, asparagus acquired the status of a “luxury food”, proudly appearing on the menus of the most prestigious meals, such as those served to first-class passengers on the Titanic.
This story illustrates not only the evolution of asparagus as a leading agricultural product in Hoerdt, but also its rise to become a culinary delight prized the world over.
Asparagus is mostly composed of water and half of its calories are proteins. It is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, it is particularly appreciated for its anti-aging action. The breadth of its powers makes it suitable for all diets, detox and sports.
Asparagus, often appreciated for its delicate taste and crunchy texture, offers much more than just its taste profile. Consisting of almost 90% water, they are also a surprisingly rich source of plant protein, providing a valuable alternative for those following a plant-based diet or looking to boost their protein intake.
In addition to their impressive nutritional composition, asparagus is a mine of essential vitamins such as A, C, E and K, as well as numerous antioxidants. These nutrients play a crucial role in combating oxidative stress, helping to preserve youthful skin and support overall health.
Thanks to their low calorie content and high nutritional density, asparagus is an ideal choice for a variety of diets, from detox diets to sports diets. Their ability to provide essential nutrients while being low in calories makes them a versatile food, promoting both satiety and vitality.
