Although I have lived in Germany for many years, there are still lots of things about German culture that puzzle me.
Why is there no speed limit on some motorways?
Who on earth decided that a mobile phone should be called a "handy" (pronounced hendy)?
Why are Germans so obsessed with “krimis” (in other words, thrillers)?
But most troubling of all is:
Why do Germans get so excited about white asparagus?
When I say excited, I mean over-the-top ecstatic.
 |
| Typical stall selling white asparagus |
Strawberries
I can understand... cherries I can understand, but tasteless white asparagus?!?
After all
the years I've lived in Germany (I’ve already reached my tenth anniversary), I
still have no idea what the fuss is all about.
One of the
typical ways of eating Spargel - as they are called here - is drenched in
hollandaise sauce, which says a lot about their taste. In fact, you need a
really good dressing to be able to taste anything at all.
Having said
that, asparagus soup is all right I suppose...
Some devoted German Spargel eaters have tried to make their case, but whatever they say I just don't get it. Or at least I think it’s more about the fact that Spargel is synonymous with spring and good weather rather than good taste.
Personally I
believe that you have to be either German or have grown up in Germany to really
appreciate white asparagus.
In any case
I have a feeling that the question will continue to trouble me for many more
white asparagus seasons to come.
