Between its tenderness and laborious growing practices, white asparagus is even more prized (and more expensive) than the first stalks of the green stuff at the market—and you probably won’t find white asparagus at American farmers markets, or American-grown asparagus in grocery stores.
Is white asparagus more 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.
How expensive is white asparagus?
Fresh White Asparagus
| Price | Size |
|---|---|
| $29.95 | 1lb (450g) |
Which asparagus is best white or green?
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.
Why white asparagus is so special?
If you’ve never had white asparagus, it is exactly like green asparagus but without chlorophyll (the green in plants that helps generate oxygen in the photosynthesis process). It has to do with the deliberate harvesting process where it’s grown without sunlight. It’s sweeter and more tender than the green variety.
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.
Why do Germans love white asparagus?
Many Germans prefer the white variety because it is thought to be more tender and less bitter. The stalks are generally thicker and longer than the green version, which has a tougher skin that makes it unpalatable. Thankfully, many German supermarkets have machines on site that do all the peeling for you.
Does white asparagus taste different?
Green asparagus is a bit grassy in flavor, while white asparagus is mild and slightly bitter.
Why is white asparagus bitter?
The most common reason asparagus is bitter is due to early harvesting which prevents the natural sugars from developing. Read on to find out why asparagus is harvested before it sweetens up and ways to overcome the bitterness.
When can you buy white asparagus?
Long, thick spears of white asparagus grown under mounds of earth and served up with butter and ham. You can usually spot the first bundles white asparagus (Spargel) at German farmers’ markets in the middle of March, but at staggeringly high prices, since the season is yet to officially begin.
Should you peel white asparagus?
White asparagus has a thick outer skin that, unlike green asparagus, must be peeled before using as it is too stringy to eat. The base should also be removed as it is too woody to chew.
How long can I keep white asparagus?
Asparagus is best cooked the day it’s purchased, but you can keep it fresh in the fridge for up to a week.
Does Whole Foods have white asparagus?
White Asparagus Glass, 11.6 oz at Whole Foods Market.
What do Germans eat with white asparagus?
Across Germany, white asparagus is mostly – and arguably best – served plainly, cooked in a light stock and plated up with melted butter, boiled potatoes or savoury pancakes and a couple of slices of cooked or cured ham.
Can you eat white asparagus raw?
The bottom line. Asparagus is a highly nutritious vegetable that can be eaten cooked or raw. Because of its tough texture, cooking is the most popular preparation method. However, thinly sliced or marinated raw spears can be equally enjoyable.
How do you store fresh white asparagus?
If you are planning to use it right away, the best way to keep asparagus fresh is by wrapping the bunch with a few sheets of damp paper towel and placing it in a breathable plastic bag. Store it in the vegetable or crisper drawer of your fridge as soon as you come back from the grocery store.
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.
Which asparagus is most tender?
“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.”
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.
What countries grow white asparagus?
White asparagus is most popular in Germany and Switzerland, where it is known as Spargel, and is considered a delicacy.