Germans are so obsessed with spargel (white asparagus), there are Facebook groups and websites dedicated to königliche Gemüse (“King of Vegetables”). In season, Spargel is in all menu aisles and supermarkets during the spring spargelzeit . It is deliciously unavoidable.
The biggest fanatics make pilgrimages to their origin. Buses full of spargel enthusiasts travel to farms in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony and Beelitz in the northeast to enjoy the prized vegetable. Every region says they grow the best spargel , but the only way to know for sure is by touring them all. If you do not think it worth a road trip, millions of Germans are not agree with you.
Here are the best spargel festivals and spargel routes in Germany with many castles and museums along these scenic drives.
Asparagus town of Beelitz
Just outside Berlin is Beelitz’s Spargelstadt (city of asparagus). You will recognize the name if you’ve ever been to a Berlin grocery store during spargel season, as Beelitz Spargel is proudly stamped on most boxes, stands, and menus.
In addition to shipping its white gold across the country, this small farming center features a Spargelmuseum and a magnificent annual Beelitzer Spargelfest (May 31-June 2, 2019). Expect live music, food stalls, and a parade.
Eat spargel straight from the source by shopping at the many spargelhöfe (asparagus farms). Many have restaurants and attractions for the whole family. Start with the well-known Jakob’s Hof, Buschmann & Winkelmann and Elsholz farms.
Spargelzeit also coincides with the erdbeeren (strawberry) season, so pick up a box of sweets with your tasty veggies.
Baden Asparagus Route
Badische Spargelstraße is one of the most famous spargel routes. It runs through the northern part of Baden-Württemberg for approximately 136 km from Schwetzingen, to Reilingen to Karlsruhe to Rastatt.
The region’s impressive harvest is scattered across the country to satisfy the rest of Germany’s spargel lust. There are local stands and festivals that celebrate everything related to asparagus. Attractions include the fastest spargel peeler, queen and / or king of spargel, live music and many delicious white asparagus. They all go completely crazy.
The start of the route, Schwetzingen, claims the title of ‘Asparagus Capital of the World’. The asparagus market has been going on here on the first Saturday in May for over 100 years (May 4, 2019 from 10am to 11pm). Walk through the city and look for the statue of the Spargelfrau .
For foodies who want to avoid all that inevitable hollandaise sauce, consider combining your asparagus tastings with a bike ride. There is a bike route that runs along the spargel destinations. There are even guided bike tours so you can focus on eating.
Asparagus village Walbeck
Situated just before the Dutch border, Walbeck turns into a spargeldorf or ‘asparagus village’ in season.
The many restaurants in the city offer all variations of a spargel dish. On the first Sunday in May (May 5, 2019), there is a large market for asparagus and handicrafts. At the event, the asparagus princess welcomes visitors on beautiful flower-decorated floats on a parade through the city.
Lower Saxony asparagus route
Niedersächsische Spargelstraße in northwestern Germany is approximately 750 kilometers. It connects the lovely Lüneburger Heide to Hannover to Braunschweig to Oldenburger Münsterland. In addition to being an important asparagus growing region, there is an Asparagus Museum located here amongst the half-timbered houses.
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Bruchsal asparagus experience
Bruchsaler Spargel-Erlebnis in Bruchsal is one of the top asparagus destinations in Baden-Württemberg. An important growing region, which includes the cities of Bad Schönborn, Forst, Hambrücken, Karlsdorf-Neuthard, Kraichtal, Kronau, Oberhausen-Rheinhausen, Östringen, Philippsburg, Ubstadt-Weiher and Waghäusel.
Their spargel festival takes place over a weekend in May (May 18 and 19, 2019).
Spargelhof Kutzleben
Kutzleben in Thuringia is an 800-year-old town surrounded by picturesque asparagus fields. The city comes alive during Spargelzeit with many shops selling local products and everything spargel .
Schrobenhausen
Located in Bavaria, there is once a year that white asparagus steals the spotlight from Weisswurst. Their spargel is known for its strong nutty flavor and Schrobenhausen revels in its reputation as a spargel destination.
Their annual Spargel Market (April 10, 2019) features a Spargel queen found abroad. You can also visit another Spargel Museum (who knew there was more than one?). There are three floors of asparagus paraphernalia with displays covering everything from farming to marketing this famous vegetable. There is even a painting of asparagus by Andy Warhol.
