When we think about Munich, we think of the annual beer festivities in October. When we think about Dithmarschen we don't think about large festivities. The cabbage days in Dithmarschen, however, are experiencing increasing popularity. With the theme 'cabbage' the Germans in the north-west of the country arrange an enormous party in the third week of September.
Cabbage drink
The first cabbage cultivation in Dithmarschen dates back to 1889. Due to the fertile soil, the cabbage quickly felt at home and in the meantime the area has developed into the largest unbroken cabbage region of Europe. The Germans saw good opportunities for the product and built a route of experience, along which one may learn everything about cabbage. This 'cabbage route' through the North German landscape passes through a number of small villages on the way, where regional (cabbage) specialities may be bought.
The cabbage ladies are responsible for public relations during the 'Dithmarscher Kohltage'.
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Official opening
Last year the ‘Dithmarscher Kohltage’ was held for the 26th time. The days start with the traditional 'Kohlabschnitt' (cutting of the cabbage) at one of the green cabbage companies in the region. This does not happen without publicity:
the Prime Minister or the Minister of Agriculture of the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein personally comes to cut the first cabbage to open the cabbage season. This marks the economic importance of the area. The cabbage days also are an incentive for tourists. The opening days there are around 3,500 visitors.
Drawing of tourists
Visitors do not only come from the environment, but also from Hamburg and
North Rhine Westfalen. They can have a look at and taste whatever is grown by the agriculturists. There is, as well as green cabbage, also cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Two 'cabbage ladies' look after the public relations with the press, the opening of the activities and of course most of all pose for photographs. Especially for the cabbage days a magazine with all kinds of information about cabbage is published. Many restaurants in the area advertise with menus, which are in one aspect the same: there is always cabbage on the table. A full meal costs Euro 5.00 with a cabbage dish including meat or fish.
Cabbage drink
A cabbage drink is distilled and of course the well-known beer from Dithmarschen is available. This year one could even sit at the longest open air cabbage table in Brunsbüttel with four chefs and a view of the North-East Sea canal. In Wesselburen the old sauerkraut factory has been made into a cabbage museum (the KOHLosseum), where sauerkraut is made again in a very special way. The Germans are capable of making something special of a 'common' product, as cabbage is often regarded.
Field visit in Marne
During the week of the cabbage days in Dithmarschen, Rijk Zwaan in Marne opened its demo field. On a large area the green cabbage varieties were shown with three different planting dates and density of plants. For the colleagues a first class opportunity to see the varieties of Rijk Zwaan under various circumstances.
