Tasting Roman fruits

Haspengouw – the former Hesbania – is known as the fruit region of Belgium, and with good reason. Centuries ago, the Romans already chose Tongeren as a garrison town, because the surrounding land was very fertile and used to supply the troops stationed there. The mainly rolling landscape is particularly suitable for fruit cultivation and viticulture. Right here – just a few hundred metres from the Via Belgica – you will find the Jambrouwerij.

In the Jambrouwerij you can taste two typically Roman products: a medlar jelly and an elderflower jelly. Even before the introduction of other fruit varieties in Western Europe, the medlar was an important fruit in the Roman Empire. The Romans were also already aware of the medicinal properties of elder against fever and flu.

The Jambrouwerij harvests the medlars and elderflowers itself, literally along the Via Belgica. The Haspengouw fruit is processed in the brewery into delicious jams. In small quantities, so that quality and authentic flavours are preserved. And you can taste that!