Eepspelsfess in Lindlar: A festival of variety for potato lovers!

Eepspelsfess in Lindlar: A festival of variety for potato lovers!

In the LVR open-air museum in Lindlar, a very special festival took place on Sunday, which was all about the potato. The versatility and the meaning of the tuber was celebrated under the name "Äepelfess". Potatoes that are known as names such as Linda, Annabelle or Gala are not only an important food in Germany, but also worldwide. Around 4,000 different varieties exist globally, whereby the Federal Sorts Office in Germany has approved around 200. These varieties differ significantly in taste, shape and color.

The offer on the festival was colorful and inviting. From culinary potato specialties to autumn activities such as dragons, let them rise and tinker for children - there was something for every age. The presentation of retro kitchen utensils in "Die junk barn", which not only aroused nostalgic memories, but also gave an insight into the traditional potato processing. Uwe Olejak, who has been supporting sustainability with his team for 25 years, reported about it.

new varieties of potatoes in the focus

A highlight of the event was the exhibition "great tuber", which not only presented old, proven varieties, but also presented new, unusual varieties of potatoes. Among them were the blue "Baltic Blue", which is valued for its intensive taste, and the red "Mulberry Beauty", which has a nutty note and was bred in the USA. Peter Lövenich from the NRW Chamber of Agriculture explained the breeding processes: "The potato grows vegetative and is brought to bloom and crossed like tomatoes." This process is crucial for the creation of new varieties that can inspire both in the kitchen and in the garden.

The LVR's own oven was active again that day and offered freshly baked potato bread and the traditional yeast passages "Bergischer Blatz". Visitors often gathered around the warm bread, while at the same time they could try the large number of potato spices. Oliver Feddersen clauses from Krautpunk informed about exciting combinations: "Rosemary salt on a boiled potato with butter just tastes perfect." In addition, the guests were also able to get to know sharp spices such as chili and licorice salt that bring a creative note to the potato dishes.

There were many ways for the youngest visitors to become creative. They made funny figures like the potato queen and the potato king made of raw potatoes. They were served culinary with grated cakes that were deliciously combined with apple muss or hearty herb curd. "Everything from the Bergisches Land" was proudly announced in the kitchen. The Bergisches Greifbogelhilfe and the rolling forest school were also on site and enriched the festival with interesting presentations. Those who were interested in agriculture were able to admire old harvesting techniques and equipment and watch live with horses.

summarized the "eepelfess" in the LVR open-air museum Lindlar was a great event that celebrated the versatile possible uses and the cultural importance of the potato. From food to activities, the festival offered something for every taste and created an atmosphere of the community and appreciation for this food. More about the event and its offers can be found in a report www.oberberg-aktuell.de .