Every spring, a quiet miracle happens in the fertile fields of Navarra, Spain. Under the cover of night, expert hands begin the harvest of one of Spain’s most prized vegetables: white asparagus. At Despaña, we are proud to celebrate this exceptional product and share the story of its artisanal journey—from soil to tin—with our community of food lovers.
White asparagus (espárrago blanco) is harvested exclusively at night during the short season from April to June. Why the nocturnal schedule? It’s all about preserving the asparagus’s prized color and flavor. Exposure to sunlight can trigger photosynthesis, turning the stalks green and changing their delicate flavor. By harvesting under headlamps, farmers ensure each spear remains white, tender, and subtly sweet.
We recently visited our producer partners at La Catedral de Navarra, a family-run company deeply committed to preserving regional traditions. Watching their team work through the night was nothing short of poetic—an agricultural ballet where every move is intentional. Each spear is unearthed gently by hand, chosen for its size and quality, and carefully placed into crates before the sun rises.
By morning, the freshly harvested asparagus is brought to La Catedral’s facilities to begin its transformation. But this isn’t your typical industrial process. Here, every step is infused with craftsmanship.
The asparagus is first washed and trimmed to ensure uniformity—a key detail for both presentation and preservation. From there, workers sort each spear by hand, assessing size and appearance. The thickest, most tender stalks are considered the highest quality and destined for premium tins and jars. Thinner stalks are just as flavorful, offering a more accessible format for everyday use.
Next, the spears are packed in either glass jars or tins and preserved in water to maintain their unique, mild flavor. There are no additives or shortcuts—just pure white asparagus, water, and time-honored technique.
What makes white asparagus from Navarra so special isn’t just the flavor—it’s the seasonality, the hands-on process, and the respect for tradition. The result is a luxurious ingredient with a soft, creamy texture and a mellow, almost nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with vinaigrettes, cured ham, or a simple drizzle of olive oil.
This is not just food; it’s a celebration of Spanish culinary heritage.
Whether you’re discovering white asparagus for the first time or returning to a seasonal favorite, we invite you to taste the difference that artisanal care makes. You can find La Catedral’s white asparagus in our online shop or in-store at Despaña-
