Asparagus

Spring’s delights

Whether green or white, spring would not be complete without this particular Valais speciality – asparagus, which grows best in the sandy soil of central Valais and the Chablais region. Harvested in the morning and enjoyed the same day. Fresh asparagus is a real treat, whether served as a side dish or with dry-cured ham and mayonnaise as a starter. The Valais brand guarantees the freshness of the asparagus as well as compliance with the dimensions and strict social and environmental norms.

  • Facts and figures

    15% of Swiss asparagus production

    is harvested in the Rhône valley: White asparagus counts for 25.3% of this production, while 8.8% is green

  • Facts and figures

    60 ha of cultivation

    including 46 ha of white asparagus and 14 ha of green asparagus

  • Facts and figures

    Health benefits

    Only 20 calories per 100g and a tasty detox food. Rich in Dietary fibre, Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C and Minerals (potassium, calcium, phosphorus)

  • Facts and figures

    15 cm

    Asparagus can grow up to 15 cm in a single day

  • Facts and figures

    35 asparagus growers

    There are 35 asparagus growers in Valais

Useful information

  • Seasonal availability: The sales period corresponds with the harvesting period and extends from early April to mid-June.

  • Storage: One week in a damp cloth in the refrigerator bin.

  • Area of cultivation: From Sierre to Collombey (from central Valais to Chablais).

  • Events: The Asparagus Festival in Saillon in May.

Green, white or purple ?

Green asparagus

White asparagus

Purple-tipped asparagus

Green asparagus does not require mounding. It grows in the open air, and owes its colouring to a chlorophyll synthesis process, which occurs with light. Its colour is then uniformly green. Its distinctive taste is slightly different to that of white asparagus.

White asparagus, the most traditional, is produced in "mound" cultivation, protected from air and light (the asparagus, which is soft, is covered with soil as it grows).

Purple-tipped asparagus is a spear that has pierced the earthen mound: the tip then turns mauve or purple. Its delicious fruity flavour is generally close to that of white asparagus.

Did you know?

  • Asparagus has long been considered a luxury vegetable and was highly prized by the Court of France.
  • It takes three years after planting before being able to harvest the first asparagus.
  • The life expectancy of an asparagus plant is 10 to 15 years.

How to enjoy?

Cooked, steamed, grilled, roasted, in salads, soups or by following one of our recipes. Paired with a glass of Johannisberg.

Recipes with asparagus