Why is white asparagus so expensive?

Why is white asparagus so expensive?

Why is white asparagus so expensive? Because growing white asparagus underground is much more labor intensive, that's reflected in the price. Each stalk must be unearthed and cut by hand, a painstaking job. White asparagus can be as a much as $2 more a bunch than green.

What is white asparagus good for?

White (or blanched) asparagus spears are created by covering the budding spears with dirt, depriving them of sunlight, and thus inhibiting photosynthesis, leaving them pale. … Asparagus is also a good source of B vitamins and copper, and provides 16 percent of your daily value of iron per cup.

Can you eat white asparagus raw?

Don't eat white asparagus raw.

Does white asparagus make your pee smell?

The most pungent compounds in asparagus pee are sulphur-containing molecules. … So if your wee smells after you have eaten asparagus it is because your body deals with asparagusic acid in such a way that it produces smelly chemicals, and you have the ability to smell these.

Do you have to peel asparagus before cooking?

Be wary of any recipe that instructs you to peel asparagus before cooking it. Not only is it labor-intensive, it's really not necessary. Rick Martinez, BA's digital associate food editor, explains that as long as you get rid of the bottom portion of the stalk, the rest is entirely edible.

Is white asparagus healthier than green?

The healthy compounds in green asparagus differ from those found in the white vegetable, however. … White asparagus also contains antioxidants including phenolic acids and flavonoids; however, according to "Acta Horticulturae," white asparagus spears have an overall lower antioxidant content than green spears.

Does white asparagus taste different than Green?

Is There a Difference in Flavor? White asparagus has a more delicate flavor than green. While green asparagus is a bit grassy, white asparagus is sweeter and has just a hint of bitterness. This delicate flavor is perhaps why it's so prized in Europe.

Can you get white asparagus in the US?

White: Preferred in Europe, these sunlight-deprived stalks are a little milder and more delicate. It is difficult to find fresh white asparagus in the United States, but it is widely available canned (usually in jars).

Is white asparagus healthy?

White asparagus has a more mild or delicate flavor than your usual green asparagus. … Asparagus is rich in antioxidants, which help fight free-radical damage. Asparagus is also a good source of B vitamins and copper, and provides 16 percent of your daily value of iron per cup.

What is the season for white asparagus?

Asparagus is available year-round, but spring is the best season for this nutritious vegetable. Crops are harvested from late February to June, with April being the prime month and high season for asparagus.

How long does white asparagus last?

How long can white asparagus be kept in the fridge or freezer? Wrap the unpeeled asparagus in a moist towel, and it will stay fresh in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator for up to four days. Peeled and uncooked, it can be frozen for four to six months.

Is asparagus bad for?

"There are no life-threatening side effects of eating too much asparagus," said Flores, "but there may be some uncomfortable side effects such as gas, and a noticeable smell to the urine." It is also possible to have an asparagus allergy, in which case you should not eat it, she said.

Is white asparagus grown in the dark?

White asparagus is mild and nutty and less assertive in flavor than green asparagus, but the two are botanically the same. The white color comes from growing in the dark to protect shoots from exposure to sun, which triggers photosynthesis and turns the shoots green.

How do you clean white asparagus?

Use a vegetable peeler to peel the tough outer skin. You can lay each spear flat and run the peeler blade down the length of the spear starting at about 1.5” from the top. You can steam, boil, grill, or roast white asparagus once it is prepped.

What is white asparagus called?

Germans go crazy for white asparagus. It's been called the 'vegetable of kings,' 'edible ivory,' or simply 'white gold.

Do you have to peel purple asparagus?

You'll want to peel the lower third of each spear since the purple variety have tougher outer skins than their green cousins. … Don't peel too far up or you'll lose the very reason you bought them in the first place, that color. But the color isn't the best part of purple asparagus. It's the taste.

What’s the difference between green and purple asparagus?

Green asparagus is a bit grassy in flavor, while white asparagus is mild and slightly bitter. Purple asparagus is a bit nuttier and sweeter because it has about 20 percent more sugar in its stalks. While the stalks are purple on the outside, the interior of the asparagus is the same as a green spear.

Why is German asparagus white?

In order to achieve the pure white spears demanded by German consumers, certain varieties of asparagus are grown underground under piles of dirt called hillings. This way, the production of chlorophyll is inhibited and the spears don't turn green.

Why is my asparagus purple?

It's not that the asparagus is changing color but the pigment that makes the purple color is sensitive to heat. When the heat hits the color fades leaving only the green, which makes you think it;s changing color. Both these bunches of asparagus contain thick spears.

How many different types of asparagus are there?

While there are only 3 types of asparagus, green, purple and white, there are a handful of varieties to choose from. Whichever variety is grown will come back time and time again for up to 15 years or more, so when choosing a variety, make sure it's one you love.

How do you trim asparagus?

They should be straight and not bendable; if you try bending the spear, it should be brittle and "crack." Stalks should be firm but tender. Check the tips of the asparagus spears. For the main part, they should be closed tightly. A nice dark green or purple tinge on the tips is a good indication of quality.

Does purple asparagus turn green cooked?

Note: Purple asparagus will turn green when cooked, so it's best used raw or cooked minimally to maintain its color.

How do you know when asparagus goes bad?

Smell. Asparagus will release a disgusting smell when gone off. So, better to toss it away if it smells less than pleasant.

Is asparagus hard to grow?

Asparagus thrives in any area having winter ground freezes or dry seasons. In fact, the mild, wet regions of Florida and the Gulf Coast are about the only places where it's difficult to grow asparagus. Here's everything you need to know about growing asparagus, whether you start from seed or spear.

How do you pick asparagus?

Size isn't an indicator of quality or flavor; thick asparagus is just more mature than the thin variety. Instead, look for bright green or violet-tinged spears with firm (not limp) stems. Make sure the tips are closed and compact. When the bunch is squeezed, it should squeak.

Is asparagus an allium?

Asparagus, or garden asparagus, folk name sparrow grass, scientific name Asparagus officinalis, is a perennial flowering plant species in the genus Asparagus. … It was once classified in the lily family, like the related Allium species, onions and garlic.

What does bad asparagus smell like?

The asparagusic acid in asparagus produces many sulfurous byproducts that give your pee a rotten-like smell. The smell can be detected as early as 15 minutes after eating asparagus and may last up to 14 hours.

Is purple asparagus natural?

Purple asparagus is a similar in appearance and flavor to both white and green varieties as its original cultivar came from green asparagus. … Its attractive violet coloring is only skin deep as its flesh is pale green to creamy white. It is inherently less fibrous thus more tender than other asparagus types.