An inn publishes its asparagus prices, sparking a heated debate. But there is also support for the restaurant.
Meckel – The asparagus season also begins with spring. This seasonal vegetable, which is particularly popular from April to June, divides opinion. Some rave about it, others don't like it. But the numbers speak for themselves: According to the Federal Center for Nutrition, per capita consumption of fresh asparagus in Germany was 1.6 kilograms in the period 2021/2022. With the asparagus season, people are also concerned about another issue: the price. An inn in Meckel, Rhineland-Palatinate, also caused a sensation by publishing its asparagus menu on Facebook. Some commenters directly defended the restaurant.
Prices for German asparagus are highest in April
Purchase prices for asparagus are traditionally highest in April, as local asparagus is still expensive and less available. According to
agrarheute.com
, first-choice regional asparagus, as offered on the restaurant menu,
currently costs around 19.90 euros/kg in supermarkets in Berlin and Brandenburg. Imported goods from Greece, Peru or Spain are offered significantly cheaper at 5.98 euros/kg.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, asparagus was 34.6 percent more expensive in April 2023 than in May. The Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft states that the average price for asparagus in 2023 was 8.58 euros/kg. Producers expect similar prices for 2024. Before the start of the season it was said that German asparagus would be particularly cheap this year.
Inn publishes asparagus menu with prices
The Gasthaus Herrig, like many other restaurants, attaches great importance to seasonal dishes. Therefore, of course, asparagus should not be missing. With the exclamation “Fresh asparagus – a real treat!”, the restaurant happily announces its new menu on Facebook. A photo shows the listed dishes with prices, including a cream of asparagus soup with croutons and chives for 6.90 euros as a starter or lukewarm asparagus in vegetable vinaigrette for 13.90 euros. The main course is 500 grams of asparagus with buttered potatoes and hollandaise sauce for 23.90 euros. If you want an Eifel salmon trout, you have to pay 32.80 euros.
Commentators discuss asparagus prices: “Complaining, that’s always possible”
The Herrig inn also explains how the dishes are prepared and where the ingredients come from: “Our asparagus comes from the Palatinate and is cooked sous vide, it has never seen water.” But not all potential customers share the inn’s enthusiasm react with incomprehension to the final wish “Have fun with it”. An angry user writes: “Are you still quite fast!” Another adds: “If starters are now offered at the main course price, I lose my appetite.” Another guest expresses outrage: “Then I invite a few friends and I prefer to cook myself...”
The restaurant responded to the outrage with a detailed explanation of its pricing: “We are inns for people who want to spend a few sociable hours with friends without any preparatory work. Nobody is forced to enter an inn. But hitting hard-working innkeepers and complaining is always possible.”
Guests defend restaurant for new menu
In view of the criticism, several commentators jumped to the restaurant's side: “It's a real shame that posts like this always turn into bashing. This is a really great menu with beautiful dishes made from good products. Gasthaus Herrig, don’t be put off,” writes one user. Another added: “If someone isn’t willing to pay the prices advertised, then they won’t be your guest. Everyone else will enjoy it.” And another commenter emphasized: “You’re doing a great job. Don't let yourself be put off! Anyone who doesn't value your work doesn't have to come to you." The owners of the inn are happy about this support and answer: "We see it the same way."
Most recently, a cook sparked another discussion online because of the way she prepared asparagus.
(jh)