Aroma roots by We’re Smart

Horseradish, lovage and greater angelica are three aromatic root crops native to the European continent. In Belgium, they are grown in the Flemish Ardennes and Pays des Collines. These regions have traditionally been known for their medicinal herb cultivation. But this tradition is now limited to a few growers, mainly in the Walloon region.

However, in addition to crop diversification, there are other arguments in favour of growing aromatic root crops. For instance, the contract cultivation of these root crops provides income security for the grower. Moreover, there are many processing possibilities in food and non-food products for both the fresh plant material and the aromas. So there are some options in terms of sales, which we will map out in Aroma-roots. And finally, Belgian processors are also actively looking for quality locally produced herbs.

So what exactly is preventing acreage expansion of these root crops? According to growers, the problem lies mainly in finding the right machinery to mechanise harvesting, planting, sowing and weed control. They also indicate a lack of knowledge about quality differences between different varieties in terms of flavours. But also about the differences in growing and storage conditions.

With the three-year research in Aroma-roots, Flanders' FOOD, together with ILVO, We’re Smart World, Future Food, Praktijkpunt Landbouw Vlaams-Brabant and Boerenbond and with the support of VLAIO, wants to expand this knowledge. And we want to connect local growers and processors to stimulate new cooperation contracts around aromatic root crops.

Frank Fol, The Vegetables Chef® together with Dagny Ros & Natalie Schrauwen are the creative brains to think out of the box!

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