We organise farm visits in the Berlin area which are specifically intended for gastronomes and farmers. Our aim is to share knowledge about agricultural cultivation methods, spark a conversation around product quality, and show the connection of individual ingredients to our whole food system. Through these farm visits, we bring producers and cooks closer together and nurture their mutual appreciation.
GÄRTNEREI APFELTRAUM
A farm visit to see what are surely Brandenburg’s most beautiful roses! Which varieties of radicchio thrive in our climate? How can they be used to extend the winter season – beyond just cabbage and turnips?
Armed with these questions, we headed out into the fields on a cold November morning: to the Gärtnerei Apfeltraum and the Levenhof, together with female farmers, restaurateurs and a group of keenly curious people.
Amidst rows of the most diverse varieties – ranging from deep red to green and purple speckled – we pulled the most beautiful radicchio heads from the ground, compared them, tasted them and discussed everything from variety selection, planting timing, storage, processing and forcing. In short: how this crop can reach its full potential and thrive even outside the Veneto region.
We were able to delve really deeply into the subject thanks to ‘Mr Radicchio’, Andrea Ghedina from Smarties.bio, a radicchio grower from Italy. With his insights into growth types, breeding and a wealth of practical knowledge, he explained to us how closely seeds, climate, cultivation and flavour are linked – and that sometimes just a few days can make all the difference.
In between: pasta with – naturally – radicchio and bitter lettuces.
The event was organised by Die Gemeinschaft in collaboration with kultivar Saatgut .
