The birds are chirping, the first buds are sprouting and the temperatures are rising - at last the heralds of spring are ushering in the warm season. Now we like to spend time outdoors again and let ourselves be pampered by the first rays of sunshine. And of course the annual highlight is just around the corner: the start of the barbecue season.

In Germany, barbecuing has a long tradition and so it is hardly surprising that the start of the barbecue season is eagerly awaited in many places. Summer is getting closer and closer and now it's official: the barbecue season is open! What's on the grill this year and what are this year's barbecue must-haves? That's exactly what we took a closer look at for you.

Barbecue season open - what's on the hot grill?

Meat continues to dominate the grill this barbecue season, although veggie grilling is also becoming increasingly popular. In addition to dry-aged beef, neck steak in a spicy herb marinade and the classic bratwurst, vegetable skewers with tomatoes, peppers, leeks and courgettes and tofu sausages are also very popular in the current barbecue season. Grilled cheese has also long since begun its triumphal march and is a delicious alternative even for meat lovers.

Meat marinated in a marinade is particularly juicy and aromatic. You should allow about eight hours for marinating so that the spicy aroma is convincing in the end. Creative marinades with beer, whisky and balsamic vinegar dominate this barbecue season and ensure a unique, hearty taste.

In addition to meat and vegan or vegetarian barbecue food, fish is making a big comeback this barbecue season. Salmon, trout and also seafood such as prawns add a Mediterranean flair to any barbecue and are convincing both in terms of taste and their short cooking time. Another excellent idea this barbecue season is sweet potatoes wrapped in aluminium foil and cooked directly in the embers. These can then be served with herb curd and various toppings such as spring onions.

A tip for a dessert that ideally matches the ambience is fresh, grilled fruit. Bananas are particularly suitable for this; they taste simply heavenly in combination with liquid chocolate sauce or honey and nuts. But melons or pineapples also cut a fine figure on the grill and make for a dessert of a different kind.

Clever grilling - must-haves for accessories

So that you have everything under control this barbecue season, we have the barbecue cutlery set 3-piece, magnetically held TROIKA BBQ ready for you. The barbecue tools can be extended telescopically and also come with a small knife and a bottle opener. At the end of the barbecue, the magnetic locking system ensures that all the components come together again and can be stored in the drawer to save space. Thanks to the use of high-quality 420 stainless steel, you can rely on a practical companion for many barbecue seasons. 

What tastes particularly delicious with barbecue food this barbecue season?

Various side dishes and salads are still part of every barbecue season. They are the perfect accompaniment to grilled food, be it meat, tofu or fish. They are easy to prepare the day before. Likewise, no barbecue should be without sauces. Barbecue sauces such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, cocktail sauce and garlic sauce have proven their worth. But sweet chilli dips or exotic sauces are also becoming increasingly popular. You can also serve homemade Mediterranean tzatziki. An oven-fresh herb baguette, oriental flatbread or small boiled or jacket potatoes skilfully round off the side dish buffet.

In addition to the food, you should of course also serve the appropriate drinks. Chilled soft drinks, beer and red or white wine are welcome in every barbecue season. The wine set consisting of a cellar knife and vacuum bottle stopper WEINPROBE from the TROIKA range ensures uncomplicated opening at the table. It is accompanied by a closure made of acrylic and silicone that is suitable for different types of bottles and has an ingenious vacuum pump. You can conjure up a summery feeling at the start of the barbecue season with delicious cocktails and cool long drinks.

The eternal question in every barbecue season: coal or gas?

It divides minds anew every barbecue season: barbecue with gas or coal? In the end, there is no general answer, because in the end it is personal preferences that decide. However, what plays a major role in this barbecue season and makes barbecuing with charcoal more attractive are the currently high gas prices. A charcoal barbecue is cheaper than a gas barbecue and you are not dependent on a gas or electricity source, which makes barbecuing more flexible overall. Allow a little more time for the barbecue and bear in mind the sometimes strong smoke development.

Of course, you don't have to worry about this with a gas barbecue. In addition, it is ready to grill within minutes. When buying a gas barbecue for the barbecue season, however, bear in mind that the price is somewhat higher and that you can only barbecue at a fixed location. If there are small children in the household, a gas barbecue is less risky than the open fire of a charcoal barbecue.

Take a look around our range and discover many other must-haves for food and drinks for this year's barbecue season. We at TROIKA will also be happy to advise you personally.