Espárrago de Navarra

Espárrago de Navarra is a PGI covering white or purple asparagus spears of twelve named varieties of Asparagus officinalis L., grown across 263 municipalities in the central Ebro valley spanning Navarre, Aragon and La Rioja, and sold fresh, fresh-cut or heat-preserved. The earthing-up technique that excludes light from the growing spears is characteristic of production under this designation.

About this designation

Registered as a PGI under file number PGI-ES-0098, with eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000012973, and granted EU protection on 21 June 1996, Espárrago de Navarra covers asparagus spears of the Argenteuil, Ciprés, Dariana, Desto, Fortems, Grolim, Hercolim, Juno, Magnus, Plasenesp, Steline and Thielim varieties of Asparagus officinalis L. Only white or purple spears are covered; green asparagus is excluded. Non-authorised varieties may account for up to 20% of the asparagus grown by each operator. The production area consists of 263 municipalities in the central part of the Ebro valley, belonging to Navarre (southern half), Aragon and La Rioja. All growing, handling and processing operations must take place within this identified geographical area. Fresh asparagus must meet a minimum diameter of 12 mm; heat-preserved and fresh-cut formats must meet a minimum diameter of 9 mm. Heat-preserved asparagus must be Extra class or Class I produce, hermetically sealed and heat-sterilised, and may be sold as whole asparagus, short asparagus or asparagus tips, peeled or unpeeled. Each pack must bear a certification label carrying a unique serial number, affixed at the registered facility in a way that prevents reuse. Certification labels are supplied and checked by the Consejo Regulador de la Indicación Geográfica Protegida Espárrago de Navarra. The control body responsible for checking compliance with the product specification is INTIA. The label must include the words Espárrago de Navarra, the PGI's official logo, and a statement of the presentation format.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PGI on 21 June 1996 under file number PGI-ES-0098 (eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000012973).
• Green asparagus is explicitly excluded; only white or purple spears qualify under the specification.
• The production area covers 263 municipalities across Navarre, Aragon and La Rioja in the central Ebro valley.
• Fresh asparagus must meet a minimum diameter of 12 mm; heat-preserved and fresh-cut formats must meet a minimum of 9 mm.

Tasting notes

Navarran white asparagus IGP, traditional Navarra-Aragón-La Rioja production, mounded-soil cultivation prevents chlorophyll. Bright white spears with tender thick stalks, mildly sweet flavor with delicate vegetal notes — Spain's most iconic asparagus.

HoReCa use

Espárragos de Navarra con vinagreta, Espárragos con mahonesa, in salads, with jamón; the heat-preserved format is a principal trade presentation.

Packaging

• fresh-bunch-500g
• fresh-bunch-1kg
• fresh-crate-2.5kg
• jar-glass-180g
• jar-glass-350g
• jar-glass-450g
• can-tin-500g
• gift-pack-jar-180g
• professional-bulk-1kg

Seasonality