Since mid-august Alnatura offers five heirloom vegetables, organically and regionally cultivated, in its supermarkets. The taste and visual variety characterize these traditional varieties.
Old-fashioned vegetables are old varieties and optimally adapted to the geographical, climatic and cultural conditions. However, over the last decades they have been increasingly replaced by modern, high-yield, varieties.
In collaboration with a charitable foundation, ProSpecieRara which campaigns for the preservation of endangered crops and the conservation of biological diversity, Alnatura expanded their range of vegetables to:
Eggplant "Rotonda bianca sfumata di rosa":
The "Rotonda bianca sfumata di rosa" from Italy was just available on street markets in Mediterranean countries. The pale violet eggplant has white stripes and tastes mild and creamy.
Potatoes "Blaue St. Galler":
The shape and color of these long oval potatoes are very striking. The potato retains its intense blue color during cooking and frying.
Zucchini "Tondo di Piacenza":
The round zucchini is a traditional Italian variety. Even the large specimens remain tender and tasty, they are ideal for stuffing.
Kohlrabi "Blaro":
These root vegetables have a reddish blue purple skin with a balanced taste and even the larger kohlrabi will remain tender.
Tomato "Auriga":
A bright orange tomato variety with aromatic flavor and tender flesh.
Organic farmers in different regions of Germany cultivate these vegetables and supply the Alnatura supermarkets through a regional organic wholesaler. Alnatura offers these old varieties until the end of the season in October. “We inform our customers about these specialties and the interest is very large,” states Bernhard Sauer, responsible for purchasing. If the demand remains the range will be expanded in the future. Bernhard Sauer continues: "If you want to preserve these old varieties, you should eat them."