Asparagus: A love poem for Germany's favorite vegetable | Meet the Germans

Asparagus festivals, asparagus queens, asparagus pizza... the Germans are never happier than when asparagus season rolls around. Meet the Germans presenter Rachel Stewart had never even heard of white asparagus before she moved to Germany. But now she can't avoid it - at least for a few months a year. This week on Meet the Germans she tries to find out what all the fuss is about.
Rachel moved from the UK to Germany in 2016. As a relative newcomer she casts a fresh eye over German clichés and shares her experiences of settling into German life. Every two weeks she explores a new topic - from beer to nudity to complicated grammar. This week it's all about the so-called king of vegetables - asparagus or "Spargel".
You'll find more Meet the Germans videos here: • Meet the Germans
#MeetTheGermans #RachelStewart #Asparagus
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[@TheDibbet]

When you broke that asparagus in half, you could as well have done the same to my heart.

[@gabrielebeimler133]

i felt a great disturbance in the force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced

[@kaph123]

You could have rhymed that: When you broke that asparagus apart, you could as have done the same to my heart.

[@ifegeorge9065]

2:33 a crazy rate example of a rhyme being preserved even when translated to a different language

[@james64ibm]

That's actually due to the systematic shift from linguistically older Germanic languages which were closer to Dutch to the newer ones such as (High) German and English, albeit in different directions. A lot of the rhyming words have been preserved if the root of the word remained - we have (always in order English-Dutch-German) red-rood-rot and dead-dood-tot, but also examples like leather-leer-Leder and weather-weer-Wetter were the rhyme is preserved in English (compared to the older Dutch), but not in German through centuries of linguistic development.

[@oliverkroker527]

This whole rhyme scheme was very reminescent of "Der Erlkönig". Not sure if that was the intention... but is what comes to my mind^^

[@christophneuschaeffer7489]

As a German I have to admit not without a smile, for a dish with Asparagus I would walk more than a mile, and if need be, even on bare foot or down to the nile 😉

[@triforce_xiii]

...and i would walk five hundred miles and i would walk five hundred more... if i could get some asparagus thats for sure

[@BlazVeber69]

Bravo!

[@graybow2255]

We, Arabs, would walk for miles barefoot on burning sands for dates.

[@Angel-wo8gv]

9/10

[@dsgarden]

@@graybow2255 or even drown crossing seas to see how freedom feels!

[@Maddof_Erroz]

Wow, respect your hard work on the rhyming. Well done. 👏👏💯

[@dweuromaxx]

Thank you!

[@sefmads6845]

I‘ve missed this! Make it longer.... and more frequent!

[@RachelStewart04]

We've got a new Meet the Germans video every two weeks - here's the playlist in case you missed any :) kzbin.info/aero/PLTuTOkjXVFXJAzrtbfg7RSuLXc8Gn83DC

[@yaxl]

That's what she said

[@kedarpaulCogitoErgoSum]

Nice poetry.

[@ayushacharya972]

Poetry us great and rhymed. Great job listening, even though I'm not German, or even European.

[@ammelepiz7265]

This is a wonderful poem! 😉 I'm German and I must admit that I love the Spargel-season too!

[@awax2585]

Even asparagus gets more sunshine than Brits 😂

[@Diana_L.]

Not true. Except for the area around Freiburg and the area around Rügen or Rostock, Germany gets about the same (little) amount of sunshine as Britain.

[@AndDiracisHisProphet]

@@Diana_L. Thanks antijoke chicken

[@Surya-jz6te]

@@Diana_L. r/woooosh

[@TigruArdavi]

Asparagus is such a must. Have it several times a week in the season. In all varieties. Try aspargus tarte flambé (Spargelflammkuchen). But when I have it plain with taties and ham, it *must* go with sauce hollandaise! Of course, not that disgusting stuff from the package. A freshly whisked up homemade hollandaise. Food paradise :-)

[@luufia]

When she broke the Spargel in two , i felt that!

[@dweuromaxx]

@luufia Ouch!

[@berlinrog]

Rachel, thou hast outdone thyself!

[@dweuromaxx]

Thank ye!

[@RachelStewart04]

Thanking you kindly, sir!

[@palanix3145]

@@RachelStewart04 you should have said: thanking thou greatly, sire!

[@unpaintedleadsyndrome]

That's the way we like them in Belgium too. And I live in the part where most of our asparagus is grown. Just a few more moths....

[@Codetutor-DemystifyCoding]

When that guy started describing ideal asparagus size in centimetres, I realised that he is a proper German 😀.

[@aloneandscared1]

poetry at its finest

[@ahmadhosafy]

Hilfe! I can't stop watching ❤️❤️❤️

[@dweuromaxx]

Why would you?

[@sudhirraghubir]

jAWOHL!!CANT STOP WATCHING ...FROM INDIA..LIVED MANY YEARS IN WONDERFUL GERMANY,BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE AND FOODS AND GEWURZTRAMINER !!

[@nthanatos6212]

Some very melodic rhymes there. It was pleasant enough to make me keep watching a video about asparagus of all things.

[@Ralphieboy]

One of the first things I saw on television when I first came to Germany was an asparagus peeling contest...it left me totally bewildered. I will eat white German asparagus if it is served but still prefer it skinny and green.

[@s.m.talhawadood5852]

Keep making such informative and fun videos, keep it up ❤️

[@dipendrayadav6068]

You guys are simply amazing! Keep making videos like this, It is informative as well as funny.

[@victoranre709]

I love it! Keep making this fun and informative videos!

[@dweuromaxx]

Thank you, we publish a new episode every two weeks on Wednesday.

[@r.b.8061]

Like your rhyme! That is the correct way to worship our "Spargel" and "Spargelzeit"!

[@talgattursynbekov9677]

as always gold!

[@graybow2255]

This is better than the English poetry I study.

[@MOTMAOK]

Wow, your work is amazing! Rhymes, content, filming and cutting!! How much work goes into this, I can just be imagining. But as someone not raised here these videos are stunning! (Okay, I tried to rhyme... But, well...)

[@Metal0217]

This was brilliant Rachel :)

[@sgtmayhem7567]

Great job! I love a good Dr Suessesque rhythm and yours was fantastic. I just found your channel today and I subscribed after watching the first video.

[@rosecolouredglasses]

How adorable!

[@flashbash2]

If your pee smells kinda funny And you can't imagine why It might be the asparagus That you just before did try

[@mothoco]

I LOVE the rhymes

[@freezing5]

Awesome rhyming!!

[@uweinhamburg]

Well, it's nice at the right season and a must at that time but my taste buds have changed and now i prefer the green version to the white. It is the same plant just grown another way and it tastes more intensive..

[@diegoschwartz3519]

I lived in Bonn for a bit, i loved seeing the sights I've walked through appear in the background! :)

[@khurrama5748]

Lovely poem '- great work and luvely approach

[@dweuromaxx]

Thank you!

[@petrameyer1121]

Actually green and white Asparagus are the same sort. In Germany soil is heaped upon the growing sprout to keep it white. In other countries the plant is allowed to break through the soil and it turns green before being harvested. Also being able to smell "Asparagus pee" is linked to a certain gene.

[@agnes15101968]

"being able to smell "Asparagus pee" is linked to a certain gene." Really? Then I have a lot of this gene.... I never eat asparagus since once I had to change the nappie of my 2-year-old son who had eaten a whole bunch of the stuff.... I almost fainted, so bad was it.

[@animeshnerurkar3736]

Brilliant poetry!

[@stesch-f]

Watching again in March because the season already began.

[@Towelee666]

Crazy good Video! I loved it!

[@justcallmejohn2833]

That was a rhyming good time!

[@merthanoglu4956]

keep going more frequenlty pleaseeee

[@dweuromaxx]

Meet The Germans is coming very frequently every two weeks... ;-)

[@SaugotChowdhury]

It is intriguing to use poetry 😍

[@bayutrian8130]

Love this video

[@judithstoel6072]

My dad actually built one of the crowns in the video❤

[@sourabhannadate2112]

that's really amazing 🙌

[@mikebaginy8731]

Brilliant rhyming, Rachel. And by the way, I love asparagus (and am from the US).

[@ahmadhashimi9771]

Make a video about how did you learn German so good? 😂

[@gypsycruiser]

Delightful poem

[@MollyandSonnyboy]

Nice poem in video about Spargelzeit

[@TheBassgurl]

Spargelzeit! I love white asparagus, but you never see it on the west coast of CA. :(

[@MrGomjabber]

I remember seeing these fields outside the base I was stationed at and wondering what was grown, someone told me white asparagus. Wasn't sure if it was true, I guess it was. never had it unfortunately but I do love regular green asparagus off the grill.

[@beauceronmeetspon]

yesss, soon it´s spargel-time again, love it !!!! With Sauce hollandaise

[@danielrospel5759]

Very sympathetic man in the Europe pullover from the SPD! I love Spargel (asparagus)! Two years ago i didn't like asparagus.

[@dnil87]

I think I have learnt more about Germany through the eyes of a Brit , than anybody else.

[@gcheese25]

My favorite face to see on KZbin. Love your video ❤️

[@leea8706]

Asparagus looks so different in the U.K. it’s much thinner and we don’t peel it.

[@mucsalto8377]

Nobody ever has asked an English cook for a recipe.

[@animitasaha2245]

She is really very witty!

[@richymoto]

Wow - i'm German and i have no chance to hear out, that you are not a native speaker. Great rhyming btw ;-)

[@wildesnova4955]

1:54 wow that one has his standars..

[@ParthSIR.]

I love the host😍😍

[@otakudanieru]

1:18 Love dat man xD

[@Flitzpiepe3000]

Wow, that was quite a poem.

[@remzik1363]

Nice!

[@SahilGulati8]

This is GREAT GREAT content.

[@DavidHAHergl]

“Wenn man Pipi machen geht, dann riechst” cool, habe was Neues gelernt :)

[@dereausoe8832]

Most importantly though: The white wine that goes along with it ;)

[@Bruce-1956]

In Holland we eat it them with melted butter and boiled egg. Last year (2020) there was a shortage because of corona (the pickers returned to their home countries in eastern Europe).

[@NANA-tasha]

You are marvelous!! 😁

[@habicht6]

Klasse

[@definitelynotbruno3888]

That was awesome

[@loinfinitoazul]

OMFG! I like this "Meet the Germans" thing, but this one, THIS ONE, makes me cry… Of laughter of course

[@vinos6364]

Love the poem. Did you write it yourself?

[@roadrunner1958]

I enjoyed the poem too!

[@Weissenschenkel]

Now I know what motif "Liebe ist für alle da" album's cover is inspired in. 🤣

[@majebrennan5668]

We eat lots of spargel during the season.

[@kostanabanjac4896]

I love your videos!

[@brunobrauer6301]

I liked the poetry.

[@jeffreymoen4159]

I like asparagus, but I've never understood white asparagus or peeling it.

[@RachelStewart04]

Peeling it is SUCH a pain!!

[@vivekmathur3514]

How is it that this video is everywhere yet has almost no views?

[@dweuromaxx]

Hey @Vivek Marthur - good question... but what do you mean by "everywhere"...?

[@rgw4393]

I want asparagus now... 🤤

[@lanac5793]

With potatos & ham tho. & self made sauce. Every damn time we have a family dinner. So fucking good

[@karlheinzreichel670]

If you think white asparagus is bland and don't like it smothered in hollandaise sauce, try serving it with sweet potatoes, olive oil and grated parmesan cheese.

[@pinky6758]

The best asparagus recipe: Slowly fry it in some butter, add a dash of lemon juice and a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar. (The lemon juice and sugar to combat the bitterness, but nowadays asparagus breeds are no longer bitter.)

[@Wolfspaule]

Nix gegen meinen Spargel sagen, sonst werde ich fuchsteufelswild!

[@kamakshijolly4156]

Quite a poet !

[@d33b33]

This children's rhyme, all correct and educational, doesn't change that the asparagus is quite sensational, when it comes to looking phallic and used in explicit act, my twelve year old mind goes graphic and quite exact.

[@user-dy8dz2gr4z]

Who came up with the lines? Love to know..

[@SrCastorPolux]

A German teacher I had complained because asparagus was not so easy to find and it was pricey here in Mexico

[@germanmemerboi3157]

My grandpa always says that Green asparagus is for livestock. Couldn't agree more.

[@dweuromaxx]

@German Memer boi He simply just loves his cattle ...😁 🍴🍷

[@all_in_for_JESUS]

Spargel ❤❤❤❤

[@theram4320]

Love of sausages, pork, bread and beer I get. The asparagus is a strange one. I like it but, I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

[@blackhunk2265]

She is beautiful

[@Dejam]

My heart broke when you broke the asparagus. How could you?

[@jackpleier5534]

If you suffer from Gout, asparagus is high in purines, which leave crystals in your joints, very painful.

[@dweuromaxx]

Thanks for the tips, Jack!

[@frederikl.7980]

It is time 🧘🏼‍♂️

[@justinlapierre1998]

Leave it to German public TV to make a whole informative segment about the asparagus economy that is also poetry.

[@charlies.5777]

The comment @ 1:20 is SO true. The only downside to spargel is the🚽 "malodorous urine factor!!"😀 IT'S totally worth it, though.

[@religiohominilupus5259]

Now tell me you know how to cook (it) too, and I'll proclaim you an honorary Cajun! 😀 Cool vid, thanks for the link! Now, back to your original post. Lol

[@religiohominilupus5259]

@@charlies.5777 😂😂😂 Love it when you make my day with your funnies! 😀

[@charlies.5777]

@@religiohominilupus5259 ARE you still awake?! Oh,asparagus, lemme count the ways!! I like it grilled, cooked in a12" skillet With some Kerrygold Irish butt-ah (which I love ) and parmesan cheese, cooked in the oven,and - as strange as it sounds- I even have a special asparagus dish for the microwave!! Hollandaise sauce is excellent ,too. Hell, I even like 'em dipped in SOUR CREAM!! PS Your "Motel Six* comment comment did make me blush. Hit me right in the ...um...💜heart!!😎

[@charlies.5777]

@@religiohominilupus5259 Jak Leci Cajun, Check this out if you get a chance. It's one of my favorite bands - Cake🎂- AND they're putting together a meal including 🎃, *spargel* and salmon; three of my favorite things!! The meal Pete prepared is awesome IMO. I love this🎵band because of their crafty lyrics, the spoken word vibe, the *FAT* bass notes, excellent drumming, the trumpet 🎺 and the vibraslap!! It's NOT my favorite song they do,but I don't think they have one I don't like. Hopefully, they'll do a concert in Germany sometime!!😎 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m4PTgqOrm8pkZ5I

[@charlies.5777]

@@religiohominilupus5259 Hey Cajun, The Cake link is in this thread. And...I didn't get the Doo info. Could you please re-send it?? Thanks, pal!!😀

[@jayeshamalhotra2222]

I love it so much

[@dweuromaxx]

Thank you Jayesh Malhotra :) What do you think about aspargus? Have you tried white aspargus?

[@jayeshamalhotra2222]

@@dweuromaxx no I am Indian I never tried asparagus but I really love this poem I want to try it now. Can you post more with the German hot seat and please next person can you introduce an indian.

[@jayeshamalhotra2222]

@@dweuromaxx hey I just wanted to ask what happened to kate. If you don't want to tell the answer then don't tell the answer and Please be the permanent meet the Germans host.

[@RachelStewart04]

Jayesh Malhotra we hope to film some more Hotseat episodes soon :)

[@ubomninomen7765]

Brilliant! I can't wait to visit Germany and taste all the sublime flavors of the sophisticated cuisines. Raw pork, cabbage, potatoes, pumpernickel, wursts of all kinds, and asparagus! yummy

[@geertrebreps191]

Der leichte Spott ist erträglich. Aber 20 EUR/1kg? Ist der goldplattiert? Klasse 1a kostet bei uns 12 EUR.

[@wolfgangritter9277]

I have to confess it, but it bothered me quite a bit when you broke that lovely asparagus in half.....

[@MayureshKadu]

Err .. ok. I will take a second look the next time I see an asparagus.