Discover the Tiny Town Known as the `Horseradish Capital of the World`

Technically considered a city, Collinsville, Illinois, is much more akin to a small town. Located primarily in Madison County, with part of the town in St. Clair County, Collinsville sits approximately 14 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri.

As of the 2020 census, the 15.26 square-mile city has a reported population of 24,366. However, not its size or population but its affectionate moniker as the “Horseradish Capital of the World” has put the town on the map.

The Horseradish Capital of the World

For a small town, it is astonishing to learn that Collinsville is believed to produce an astounding 85% of the world’s horseradish! Additionally, horseradish has extensive roots (no pun intended) in European culture. The horseradish produced in Collinsville is of such high quality that China and Germany import it for gourmet use. A small town creating the vast majority of the world’s horseradish surprises many people, begging the question of why.

Simply put, Collinsville is accepted as the world’s horseradish capital because of ideal conditions — namely, the soil. At one time, the land that makes up the small town was part of the Mississippi River Basin. Since the Mississippi River was once much more expansive, it has left the soil in the area rich in potash (Potassium). Potassium is one of the primary nutrients needed for robust root growth for vegetables. It is especially vital for horseradish.

St. Louis and other surrounding areas once had a strong steel mill and coal mining presence. These environments led to the spreading of Sulfur throughout the area. The Sulfur spread through the air and settled in the soil, providing another nutrient vital for the growth of horseradish. Altogether, the soil in Collinsville is simply the perfect storm for growing premium horseradish.

The History Behind the Nickname

As mentioned earlier, horseradish has strong roots in European cuisine. So, when Eastern and Central European settlers arrived in the area, they quickly discovered that the soil was ideal for many crops, especially horseradish. These settlers began cultivating copious amounts of the vegetable, thus kicking off a unique appreciation for it from generation to generation.

Nowadays, horseradish growing in Collinsville is not something anyone can start doing. Cultivating large amounts is extremely labor intensive, and no specified equipment exists. The generational practices and technological challenges are significant reasons the area has retained its nickname. However, the main reason Collinsville has become the world’s horseradish capital is planting stock.

Planting stock comes in the form of secondary roots. Current horseradish farmers cyclically reuse their planting stock. This means that the needed planting stock is generally unavailable for other prospective farmers. All of this results in Collinsville maintaining its position as a robust hub for horseradish growth.

The Culture of the Horseradish Capital of the World

As you can imagine, such a unique moniker will inevitably bring some unique celebrations.

While July is National Horseradish Month, the International Horseradish Festival turns heads in Collinsville every June. With the farms around Collinsville contributing the bulk of horseradish to the country’s nearly six million gallons of prepared product, it’s no wonder they have plenty for a whole festival!

The International Horseradish Festival holds countless activities every year — both horseradish-related and not. Of course, festivalgoers can purchase horseradish freshly grown on-site but can also participate in a horseradish root-tossing contest. Those at the festival can enjoy such dishes as ribbon-cut deep-fried potatoes with horseradish seasoning and watch the Miss Horseradish Pageant.

Additionally, there are activities for people of all ages, including live music, root-grinding demonstrations, and a 5k run. The festival is held every year on the first weekend in June. The event is located on Main Street in uptown Collinsville — the horseradish capital of the world!