 Due to its physiogeographical situation in the Upper Rhine Plain, with Germany's warmest climate, fruitful volcanic soils, medicinal springs and spas with very good infrastructural features which have been in use since the Roman period, and its proximity to France and Switzerland, Baden had better prerequisites to develop a high quality gastronomy than Württemberg or Bavaria.Special plant crops such as tobacco, wine, fruit and horticulture are of supranational importance and offer the inhabitants and visitors a diverse and wide selection of local products.Asparagus and chestnuts are as skillfully used in the kitchen as tripe and escargot and a variety of fruity desserts and pastries is provided for the traditional German "Kaffee und Kuchen" (lit.