Asparagus

Also known asAsparagus officinalis · 芦笋

Name: Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) — the tender young shoots of a perennial plant, harvested in spring, in green, white and purple forms. White asparagus is grown underground, covered with soil to prevent it from turning green.

Description

Asparagus is native to Europe, Asia and North Africa, and has been eaten for thousands of years, with depictions in ancient Egyptian art and mentions by the Romans, who valued it as a delicacy and dried it for winter. It is a spring luxury across Europe, particularly in Germany, where the white asparagus season, Spargelzeit, is celebrated.

A single asparagus plant can crop for 15 to 20 years, but takes about three years to start producing, which is why it has long been considered a premium vegetable. Peru, China and Mexico are now the largest producers.

Main nutrition value

Asparagus is a good source of folate, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E and fibre, and contains the amino acid asparagine, and is very low in calories.

How best to be consumed

Asparagus is best fresh, and cooked briefly.

1. Snap off the woody base ends, which break naturally, and steam, roast or grill for 3 to 6 minutes until just tender.
2. Serve with butter, hollandaise, lemon or Parmesan, or wrapped in prosciutto.
3. Shave raw thin spears into salads, or add chopped asparagus to omelettes, risotto and pasta.
4. Peel the lower stalks of thick or white asparagus.
5. Stand upright in a glass of water in the fridge, and use within a few days.

Overconsumption could cause…

Asparagus is safe and healthy in food amounts, with a well-known quirk.

1. Strong-smelling urine after eating asparagus, caused by sulphur compounds from asparagusic acid, which is harmless, and which only some people can smell.
2. Gout flare-ups in people with gout, since asparagus contains moderate purines.
3. Possible effects on warfarin and similar blood-thinning medicines because of the vitamin K content, so keep intake steady.
4. Allergic reactions in rare cases, in people allergic to other members of the lily family.

GroupsStem and Shoot VegetablesLow fatLow sodiumFresh

Related foodsBamboo ShootsFennelBean SproutsMung Bean SproutsAlfalfa SproutsCardoon

Wikipedia — Asparagus, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagus