Valais Specialties

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.

Try the asparagus in one of the local restaurants

Valais brand label

Valais seasonal fruits and vegetables calendar (French)

The Saillon Asparagus Festival

Spargeln Asperges auf einem Teller

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

Asparagus on a plate with sauce

Facts and figures

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

White asparagus before cooking Valais Wallis Schweiz Switzerland Suisse

Facts and figures

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)

Asparagus that points the tip out of the ground Valais Wallis Schweiz Switzerland

Facts and figures

Asparagus can grow up to 15 cm in a single day

Facts and figures

There are 35 asparagus growers in Valais

Good to know

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

    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

    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

    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.

Direct sale of asparagus

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Recipes with asparagus

Brochure - Le goût de l'excellence (French)