BEHR Gemüsegarten: Products

Celery

Celery is a member of the umbellifer (Umbelliferae) family, which also includes other well-known plants such as dill, lovage and fennel. Celery is also known as leaf celery or stalk celery. In the past, the green stalks of celery were blanched by earthing up the stalks to produce a milder taste. Nowadays, there are varieties that are naturally lighter in colour.

The original variety of celery grows mainly on marshy, salty soils, primarily in the coastal areas of Mediterranean countries. This probably also explains the good salt tolerance and high water requirements of today’s cultivated plant.

Celery typically has thick, succulent, light to dark green leaf stalks that grow upright. When selecting the variety, we attach particular importance to ensuring that the leaf stalks do not form hollow spots and are juicy and not too fibrous. The taste of celery can be described as fresh and aromatic.

Cultivation and harvesting

We grow our delicious celery at our sites in Ohlendorf (Lower Saxony) and Büttelborn (southern Hesse). When it's too cold for cultivation in Germany, our celery grows under the Spanish sun in our fields in Balsapintada (Murcia).

Celery prefers a temperate climate and requires a lot of water, which is why our sites in northern Germany offer the ideal growing conditions for the green stalks. The Mediterranean climate of southern Spain, with its mild winters, is also excellent for celery.

Preparation and freshness tips

Celery is extremely easy to prepare. All you have to do is break off the sticks of the plant you want to use. Then cut off a small piece at the top and bottom, rinse well and cut to the desired size depending on the method of preparation.

Celery is ideal for serving with a dip. But it's also great in salads or casseroles. One of our favourite recipes, however, is celery soup. This soup is a real treat, especially in the colder months of the year. You can find this recipe and more delicious ideas in our recipe section. It’s definitely worth taking a look!

When buying, make sure that the stalks of the celery do not have any dark spots or damage and that they feel plump and firm. Celery can be kept for a good week in the vegetable compartment of the fridge.