“In supermarkets, shoppers will see thin spears of asparagus bunched and marketed as ‘tender gourmet’ style,” says Peter Ferretti, professor of vegetable crops. “In reality, spears that are larger than a half-inch in diameter are more tender and higher in soluble fiber and vitamins than the thinner spears.”
What is the best tasting asparagus?
Purple Passion Asparagus
A high sugar content makes this variety sweet in taste. As you might expect, the Purple Passion variety is purple in color, and it becomes lighter as you cook it. For this reason, it is much more tender and sweeter in taste, thanks to the higher sugar content.
How do you keep asparagus from getting tough?
The most common mistake people make when prepping raw asparagus is doing it too far in advance. They’ll turn wilty and unpleasantly chewy if chopped or peeled ahead of time. Either prep them right before assembling and eating—or store them in cold water. They’ll keep in the water in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
How do you get tender asparagus?
How to Buy Asparagus
- Stalks should be plump and firm, and tips should be tightly closed.
- Color can be green, purple, or white, depending on the variety. Make sure the color is not faded.
- A good grocer will chill asparagus or store it standing upright in cold, fresh water.
Which are better fat or thin asparagus?
Since thick and thin spears are both good bets, choose the size that best suits your cooking method. Thicker stalks are better for broiling and roasting because they will stand up to the intense dry heat that would quickly shrivel skinnier spears.
What is the sweetest asparagus?
Despite the color difference, white asparagus taste similar to green asparagus. 3. Purple: Known to be the sweetest type, purple asparagus gets its color from high levels of anthocyanins, chemical compounds commonly found in vegetables and other plants.
Where is the best asparagus from?
Hampshire County, home to New England’s most productive farmland, has been called the “Asparagus Capital of the World” for its prolific abundance of the crop.
Why is my cooked asparagus chewy?
Overcooking it is the most common reason asparagus can get chewy.
Should you soak asparagus before cooking?
Fine grit can lurk in asparagus tips. To get rid of it, fill a bowl with cold water and soak the asparagus for a few minutes, then rinse off. That should rid the stems of any unpleasant sandiness.
Why is my asparagus tough and stringy?
Asparagus gets woody, or sometimes described as stringy, the longer it is stored. This happens in two places: at the cut end, and throughout the inside of the spear. What is this? When the spears are cut for harvest, they try to heal themselves, and this causes woodiness at the end of the stem.
Does asparagus get softer the longer you cook it?
Undercooked asparagus, crunchy and forbidding, can taste like a punishment. But if you simmer asparagus long enough to cook it through, its texture becomes soft and almost creamy, and its lovely flavor comes into full bloom. It’s worth taking the time to peel it first.
When should I buy asparagus?
SEASON: Look for asparagus in the market from February to June, with April being the peak. CHOOSING: Fresh asparagus will be bright green with no signs of shriveling. The tender tips may have a purplish cast, but they should be firm and tight, never mushy.
What happens if you overcook asparagus?
Asparagus can be cooked using several methods. Whatever method is used, it is important to not overcook the asparagus. Overcooking will deplete the flavor and the texture of the asparagus will become mushy. Cook it only to a crisp-tender.
Why are my asparagus so thick?
Each new asparagus spear grows from a bud that forms on the crown. There are never two spears that grow from the same bud, so as the asparagus plant ages (and as long as the underground crown is not damaged from harvesting, insects or diseases), the crown grows larger and larger as more buds are created.
What is thin asparagus called?
Pencil asparagus are varieties that are cultivated and harvested young specifically for their thin, tender spears. Their stems are pistachio green capped with purple- green cruciferous tree-shaped tips.
What’s the difference between asparagus spears and tips?
The tip of the asparagus is not a set of flower buds; consequently the thin little triangular leaves of asparagus are not bracts, but rather “scale leaves” that protect developing branch buds. The tip of a growing asparagus spear is the part of the stem that will become branchy (if it is not harvested).
Is purple asparagus better than green?
Nutritional value: Compared to purple asparagus, green asparagus has higher levels of potassium, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
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.
How can you tell a male asparagus from a female?
Asparagus Sex Determination
Asparagus is dioecious, which means there are both male and female plants. Female asparagus produces seeds that look like little red berries. Male plants produce thicker, larger spears than females. The flowers on male plants are also larger and longer than those on females.
What country eats the most asparagus?
Global Asparagus Consumption
With nearly X thousand tons, China became the world’s leading asparagus consuming country, mixed up X% of global consumption.
Where is the asparagus capital of the world?
Oceana County is famous as the “Asparagus Capital of the World” for its high production of asparagus. The annual Asparagus Festival includes a parade and crowning of the Asparagus Queen.