A WORCESTERSHIRE delicacy has received a supreme culinary status putting it into an elite group of foods and drinks which include Champagne, Cognac, Roquefort, Parmesan and Jersey Royal Potatoes.

Asparagus grown in the Vale of Evesham has this week been awarded European (EU) protected food name status which specifically links it to a particular geographical area and indicates a certain level of quality.

The application for the special status was made three years ago but Nigel Smith, chairman of the Gras Roots Community Interest Company which made the application, said the fact that the EU took so long to grant the status adds credibility to the scheme and those foods with protected food names.

“If you could get the status quickly it would undermine the credibility of it. It took us a bit by surprise but we are very happy about it,” he said. He hopes the prestige associated with the ranking will encourage more growers and will have a positive impact on local retailers, tourism and hospitality businesses.

“We can work together and take the best advantage from this. We can hammer home that we have the best asparagus in the world. This can benefit not just the Vale of Evesham but the whole of Worcestershire.”

The application to the EU explained the unique combination of soil type and climatic conditions in the Vale of Evesham which produce the distinctive flavour of this early cropping delicious vegetable.

The deep sandy soil derived from the underlying Devonian sandstone in the river basins of the Severn and Avon and the temperate climate with warm dry summers are key ingredients to producing the highest quality sweet-tasting spears.

The application also highlighted the tradition of asparagus-growing in the Vale, which is known to date back to at least 1768, and that Evesham is the only town in the UK with an asparagus field within its boundaries.

The annual Asparagus Festival attracts visitors from all over the world and has been heartily embraced by local residents who turn out in their droves to get involved in the fun and frolics celebrating this most luxurious of vegetables.

Wychavon tourism officer Angela Tidmarsh said: “Obviously we are delighted we have got EU protected food name status and it puts the Vale of Evesham asparagus on the map of the elite group of food products.

“What we want to do it make the most of what has been bestowed on us. The Vale of Evesham is the asparagus excellence centre of the world. As far as tourism for the district and Worcestershire, it is brilliant.”

Any asparagus producers who want to use the name “Vale of Evesham Asparagus” will now have to meet the EU criteria set out in the protected food name status.

Worcestershire Cider/Perry was granted EU protected food name status in 1996.