Il Rustico, an asparagus with a wild flavor

Exclusively sold by Ortofrutta Castello under the brand name 'Il Rustico', this Saent asparagus, produced by the company Lamboseeds, is now available in supermarkets.

"It is a green-violet asparagus of medium-large size," explains Luciano Trentini, "with a bitter taste very similar to that of the wild asparagus. Created in Italy, it is the result of crossing Asparagus officinalis and Asparagus amarus, which has allowed Lamboseeds to create a hybrid that produces shoots with a particularly strong flavor, appreciated by those who regularly eat wild asparagus, which is harvested at this time of year on the sandy dunes of the northern and southern coasts of Italy."

It's only been a few years since this variety was launched on the market, following a series of culinary experiments to promote its qualitative characteristics. According to the promoters of the variety, "Sales have confirmed that the Saent variety is different from the classic green or purple asparagus that is commonly found on the market. With this variety, Lamboseeds, which has always focused on lines that promote wellness, aims to fill a specific niche in the market, particularly for those who love wild asparagus. When grown outdoors, Saent has shown good longevity, high productivity and good resistance to the most common asparagus diseases (rust, stem fungus and even Fusarium). These intrinsic characteristics make it an attractive product for both the grower and the consumer."

In 2024, production was about two weeks ahead of schedule. With the return of cold weather, production was reduced over the Easter holidays, as with all asparagus. At the moment, it is mainly grown in the north of Italy, but it is also possible to grow it well in other parts of the country. Of course, its genetic characteristics do not always allow it to have a perfectly closed bud, but it has a certain resemblance to the wild type of asparagus.

Ortofrutta Castello, a company based in Veneto and specializing in the commercialization of asparagus, has decided to introduce this unique reference to diversify its commercial line of classic green, white and purple asparagus.

Looking to the future, Lamboseeds is experimenting with new green asparagus cultivars that will be characterized by a high earliness, a fully green shoot, varying in length from 23-28cm, and a particularly sweet flavor. These new lines will only be released on the market after they have passed agronomic tests and variety registration procedures.

After a global decline in arable land, this crop is now on the upswing and there are new prospects for future development. From a commercial point of view, the asparagus still has a lot of market potential; its penetration among Italian households is low, with only 45% of the total consuming it at least once a year. The analysis of some of these factors has led Lamboseeds and Ortofrutta Castello to diversify in order to reach new potential consumers. Luciano Trentini, a specialist who has followed the evolution of the techniques to grow asparagus, as well as the development of this and other varieties, is well aware of this. Trentini is one of eight technical experts who collaborate across the world within the Befve&Co group.