Poperingse Hopscheuten

Even though hops are still mainly used for flavoring and natural preservation in the brewing process, they have also been appreciated in gastronomy for centuries. Grown in the West Flanders, around the neighboring towns of Poperinge, Ieper and Vleteren, the Poperingse hop shoots are a typical Belgian product, delivering more than half of the country's hops harvest. They are white in color, crunchy in texture, and they have a strong peppery and nutty flavor.

Considered a real delicacy, Poperingse hopscheuten are sometimes referred to as the world’s most expensive vegetable: due to the labor-intensive process of their cultivation, it comes as no surprise that 1kg of these shoots can cost up to 1000 Euros!