White asparagus is most popular in Germany and Switzerland, where it is known as Spargel, and is considered a delicacy.
Who eats white asparagus?
A German Delicacy
In Germany, white asparagus (weißer spargel) is celebrated (literally) with festivals from April to June.
How do Germans eat white asparagus?
The most popular ways of enjoying white asparagus are deliberately simple, so as not to overpower the vegetable’s delicate flavor. Asparagus are traditionally served with melted butter and potatoes (Spargel mit Butter), with ham (Spargel mit Schinken) or with hollandaise sauce (Spargel mit holländischer Sauce).
Why is white asparagus so popular in Germany?
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.
Can you get white asparagus in the US?
Once only widely known in Europe, White Asparagus has grown in popularity in America along with today’s sophisticated palates. It’s considered the ‘champagne’ of vegetables with its subtle taste and elegant appearance.
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.
Is white asparagus as healthy as green?
Green asparagus has more antioxidants than white, but both are heart-healthy and great sources of fiber, vitamin K and other nutrients. While green asparagus is more common, white asparagus has a milder taste and is a fun way to mix things up.
Where is white asparagus popular?
Germany
The pale spears are harvested when the tops barely protrude from the earth. White asparagus is most popular in Germany and Switzerland, where it is known as Spargel, and is considered a delicacy.
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.
Why is there no white asparagus in UK?
White asparagus can be hard to find due to its labour-intensive growing process and limited season. During the asparagus season (late April to late June in the UK), white asparagus can be found at farmers markets and specialist greengrocers.
What do the Germans call white asparagus?
Spargelzeit
White asparagus is a delicious spring side dish, popular in Germany during the season of Spargelzeit, and perfect as an Easter side dish, Mother’s Day, or any meal during spring.
Do 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.
Does white asparagus grow in the wild?
Though widely found growing wild it is has been cultivated as a vegetable crop for centuries. As it was historically found growing in maritime regions, it prefers sandy weedless soils. Adding saline to soil to replicate this habitat can allow for fertile soil conditions.
Is white asparagus more expensive than green?
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.
Does white asparagus taste different?
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.
Is white asparagus better than green asparagus?
If you’re interested in nutrition then consider green asparagus as it is rich in vitamins B and C, calcium, potassium, beta-carotene, and folic acid. White asparagus contains antioxidants but it isn’t as healthy as its green alternative.
Is white asparagus good for diabetics?
Asparagus May Help Fight Diabetes
According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, adding asparagus to your diet might help you keep diabetes symptoms under control. This study, performed at Pakistan’s Karachi University, looked at rats with diabetes.
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.
Which color asparagus is best?
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.
What is so special about white asparagus?
What Makes White Asparagus White? Unlike their green counterparts, white asparagus are pale from end to tip because they are grown underground. Farmers cover the stalks in soil to hide them from sunlight and prevent them from producing chlorophyll, which is what causes stalks to turn green.
What does asparagus do for men?
Asparagus is high in vitamin A, folic acid and dietary fibre, which are all thought to play a vital role in fighting cancer. Asparagus also contains high levels of potassium, which may help control blood pressure, and is rich in rutin and iron which boost the body’s immune system. It’s also cholesterol free.