International Green Week 2024

The 2024 International Green Week was once again truly refreshing—say what you will, but taking your first breaths in the newly laid-out flower halls of Green Week is always a “coming home” moment.

Once again this year, freshness and color played a central role in the concepts of the many exhibitors from all over the world, with culinary delights naturally also featuring prominently.

As every year, the lovingly designed and decorated flower halls are a magnet for visitors.Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time this year to look at all the flower beds and plantings, but that’s probably the price we pay for now living “further out.”

In addition to the diverse plantings, there were several “stylish” corners in the flower halls that invited visitors to linger.

Each area was assigned a theme color and featured a piano corner, several seating areas, and a swing that invited visitors to sit down and take photos. In addition, many associations, clubs, and even government institutions and organizations once again used the stage of this trade fair, which is so important for Berlin, to draw attention to themselves.

This year, Naturschutzbund Deutschland e. V. (NABU) made a fairly large but nevertheless inconspicuous appearance—the focus this time was on a guessing game that was mainly aimed at children and young people and attempted to convey the interrelationships in nature in a light-hearted way.

With the motto “Omnivores welcome,” anyone who feels like trying something culinary that is unknown, new, unusual, or even crazy from time to time is bound to feel addressed—always within their own self-imposed limits, of course.

Old acquaintances such as the producers of Thai Pook chips, who won the Innovation Award at FRUIT-LGISTICA in 2018, were also present at Green Week.

While we’re on the subject of old acquaintances, we must of course mention the hot dog wrap (Tunnbrödsrulle) from Thomas Poppe in Buchow, because ultimately we have to acknowledge with respect that this product from Spice Catering has really made its mark.

The combination not only impresses with its authentic hot dog taste, but also scores points with more interesting textures and easier handling than the original product—the HOT dog.

Incidentally, the team behind Hot-Dog Wrap had a new project in the works—the CrazyShake—because let’s be honest, we’re already used to seeing all kinds of fast food and the like at trade fairs.But you don’t often get a sudden craving for a delicious, fresh, soft-serve ice cream-based “cocktail” – possibly even to go – because even the classic soft-serve ice cream “dispensers” are becoming increasingly rare.

So, of course, we should celebrate this additional offering and try it ourselves next time.

Of course, the most delicious treats were once again to be found in the “center of culinary power” – the hall of caterers and delicatessen suppliers. Apart from various oils, sauces, and mayonnaises, there was plenty of refined meat.

In addition to fine Pata Negra ham, pâtés, dried herbs, and much more, Caruso’s stand was once again a real highlight for me. The homemade sausages are fantastic and always welcome at any event—truly delicious craftsmanship!

But let’s not forget the sheer incredible cheese presence this year. Of course, there were still some “quirky” cheeses here and there – in spectral colors and the like – but the trend toward classic varieties was clearly noticeable.

When it comes to cheese, sampling can be difficult – who wants to be stuffed after 20 minutes at Green Week? So we bought a few varieties and postponed our cheese enjoyment until the evening…

Unfortunately, what I didn’t like so much was the sheer unbelievable amount of sweets—especially pastries such as muffins, macarons, brownies, and the like—which made it really difficult to find your way around without consuming a few extra calories.

But thank goodness I had eaten a fish sandwich beforehand—that helped curb my craving for sweets quite nicely.

The Berlin Beekeepers’ Association also had a stand at the fair. Urban honey is a very interesting topic, and the honey itself is often of surprisingly good quality, especially in terms of flavor.

A few tools also found their place—from beehives to classic apiaries to honeycombs.

The reason why Berlin honey, or city honey in particular, is so delicious is due to the variety of plants and flowers on the balconies and properties of city dwellers, both large and small.

Our visit to the fair was coming to an end, but what was still missing, of course, was an agricultural breeze.

So we quickly returned to the hall with the animals—my companion was blown away by the many different breeds of small animals—while I, of course, looked around for larger specimens—I was particularly interested in heifers and young bulls.

Last but not least, all that’s missing is LoeffelNUSS – a real MUST, you could say, or rather, as many said after tasting a spoonful.

Not only is the product very appealing, but the presentation and communication by the LoeffelNUSS team also made for a positive trade fair experience.