What does asparagus taste like? This is a question that is often asked by those who are newbies to this nutrient-rich vegetable. Most people don’t like this vegetable, but on the other hand, asparagus is a vegetable that is rich in nutrients. Some want to try it, so they wonder what it’s like.
So, after trying many different types of asparagus dishes, I have grown to love the vegetable and now often buy it and cook it as a nutritional addition for the family. Here, I will explain to you about the taste of asparagus, preferably raw or cooked asparagus and some things related to this green vegetable.
For asparagus lovers, you need to know that there are several types of this plant, there are green asparagus, purple and white asparagus. Which one is tastier and richer in nutrition? So, here I am going to describe to you everything related to asparagus especially about what asparagus tastes like.
As well as the taste, we’ll explain clearly how to buy asparagus, how to store asparagus, and how to cook it, whether it’s sautéing or baking.
Ok, let’s just look at the discussion one by one, I hope this article will be your reference in knowing many things about asparagus.
What Is Asparagus?
Table of Contents
Asparagus is a perennial plant that has a unique taste, is rich in nutrients and is one of the great vegetables for lowering blood pressure and digestion.
Botanists, however, note that asparagus is now in a family of its own, as opposed to before, where this perennial plant was included in the lily family.
So, there are so many plants in the asparagus family that there are about 300 varieties. But not all asparagus is safe for consumption because most varieties of this plant contain poison.
Some of them are cultivated to be used as vegetables and some are cultivated as ornamental plants. Green asparagus is a type that is generally eaten as a vegetable that is rich in benefits. Apart from the green ones, there are purple and white asparagus that can also be eaten and are sometimes also found in traditional vegetable shops or supermarkets.
What Does Asparagus Taste Like?
We already know briefly about the asparagus plant, now we proceed to explain the taste. What does asparagus taste like? Many people say that the taste is different from most vegetables, unique, and strong and has a hint of a bit bitterness. The taste is also similar to grass or like the taste of broccoli.
In addition to this taste, asparagus also has a sulfur-like taste, rich in fiber and fiber. But if you harvest them when they are young, your asparagus will taste much better, be light and refreshing. While the older ones have a more sour taste.
Many lovers of this vegetable, including, sometimes describe that the taste of asparagus is like green beans, broccoli, or like artichokes. However it is more similar to broccoli in that it has a grassy feel to it when you try it.
Taste Difference Between Green Asparagus vs. White Asparagus vs. Purple Asparagus
We already know that there are three types of asparagus that can be eaten, so what purple and white asparagus taste like, and how the flavors differ between these three types of asparagus.
Purple asparagus has a sweeter, pea-like taste and is earthier than green asparagus. For those of you who don’t like asparagus, it looks like starting with purple asparagus is your best bet.
Then white asparagus, what does white asparagus taste like? This type has a softer taste, but the bitter taste is more pronounced.
That’s the difference in taste between purple asparagus, white and of course with the green asparagus that we generally get in the market.
Do Asparagus Make Your Urine Smell?
True, eating asparagus will cause your urine to smell bad, but don’t worry because this bad smell only lasts for a short time, it only lasts about 12 hours before then returning to normal.
This smell appears because asparagus contains a substance called mercaptan, the more a person eats this vegetable, the stronger the smell of urine will be, including if you consume it in the form of juice.
Where Is Asparagus Grown?
Maybe you are curious about this vegetable growing, where does asparagus grow or cultivate.
Asparagus is a vegetable that is commonly found in the Mediterranean, but is now widely cultivated in various parts of the world. Now the countries that produce asparagus on a large scale are China, Mexico, Germany, and Thailand.
When Is Asparagus Available?
You like asparagus and look for it in the market but you can’t find it. In fact, asparagus is unseasonable, it can be grown at any time of the year in all seasons internationally. But in spring, the crop is more plentiful and is among the best times to hunt asparagus.
In America, these vegetables are harvested from February to June. If you’re looking for fresh asparagus and can’t find any, you can try canned asparagus, which are widely available at grocery stores.
But if you find fresh ones, then this is better, fresher and richer in nutrition.
How Is Asparagus Harvested?
Asparagus is best harvested when it is about 6 to 9 feet tall, the best time to harvest it is in the early morning or late afternoon.
To harvest it, you can break this green spear from the ground or can cut it with a knife. Do not cut it from the ground because it can kill the plant.
What Does Asparagus Look Like?
Most of the asparagus found in the market is green and these are small lances without leaves.
But you may also find purple or white asparagus (if you’re lucky).
You can find many spears the size of a pencil with a bud-shaped tip on the market.
What Are Asparagus Sprues?
Asparagus Sprues are a type of young plant that quite a lot has their eye on. Sprues are young, supple asparagus and a favorite of mine and most aficionados of this vegetable.
What Is The Texture Of Asparagus?
Asparagus vegetable texture can vary according to how to eat it. If you consume it raw, of course the texture is crunchy and juice. However, most people cook it in various asparagus recipes. When cooked, the texture can be crunchy, soft, tender, and enjoyable.
Asparagus eaten raw is usually salted with certain spices. If you want to give it a try, try it with purple asparagus for a milder and more delicious taste.
Where Can I Buy Asparagus?
You can buy asparagus at any time because it is available all year round. But spring is the easiest time to find asparagus, when asparagus is harvested on a large scale so it is widely available in the market.
How Do I Select And Buy Asparagus?
Buying asparagus should pay attention to good and high quality. Generally, good asparagus is round, straight and firm and crunchy. Watch the ends, these should be damp and plump. Avoid if you find dry or shriveled ones on the market because these are no longer crunchy or wood-like.
How Do I Store Asparagus?
Fresh asparagus can be stored at temperatures below 40F for 7 to 10 days. You can store it in the refrigerator to keep the temperature cool.
The way to store it is to wrap the green spears in a perforated plastic bag, store them in the vegetable section of your fridge.
You can also keep asparagus spears fresh by storing them in a jar filled with water.
Advice: If you buy it at the market, of course you don’t know how long your asparagus has been harvested, so the best way to find out its freshness is to consume it within two days.
How Do I Prep Asparagus For Eating?
Before cooking asparagus stalks we need to peel them, clean them and cut them into small pieces and then cook them.
Each stalk is washed carefully, the fibrous part of the stem is removed, as well as the woody part. You can break it by hand or with a knife. Make sure all the woody parts of the stem are removed.
Peel the outer part of the stem up to half the stem, this aims to remove the tougher outer layer so as to produce asparagus that is soft and delicious to eat.
If all you have done, now you are ready to cook asparagus with the recipe you want.
Trimmed Prepared Asparagus Spears
If you buy asparagus that has been cleaned, removed the woody parts or skinned from it, then you are ready to cook, but you will have to wash it one more time to make sure your asparagus is sterile.
Can I Freeze Asparagus?
If you buy a lot of asparagus in the winter, you should definitely save the sides. So, can you freeze asparagus? The answer is “yes you can”.
How to freeze asparagus by first boiling it for 4-5 minutes, then remove it and immediately dip it in cold water. Wrap and freeze in the freezer. The shelf life of frozen asparagus can be several months.
How Long Does Asparagus Last?
Fresh asparagus, if stored properly can last up to 10 days. But you can extend the shelf life of asparagus by freezing it. Frozen asparagus can last up to several months.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Asparagus?
Asparagus is a nutrient-rich vegetable, some people don’t like this vegetable, even though it is a storehouse of essential nutrients for human survival.
Asparagus is rich in folate, vitamins A, C and E. It is also included in vegetables which are rich in chromium and fiber which are good for digestive health.
What about the nutritional value of asparagus? According to the USDA’s National Nutrient, a cup of asparagus offers the following nutrients.
- 2.95 grams of protein
- 27 calories
- 5 grams carbohydrates
- 2.52 grams of sugar
- 2.81 grams of fiber
- .16 grams of fat
How Is Asparagus Consumed?
You can consume it raw or cook it. This is a fiber-rich vegetable that is good for digestion. Many people cook it first because the fiber content is very high.
For those who eat it raw, it is usually salted and served as a side dish.
How Is Asparagus Cooked?
There are many ways to cook asparagus, you can sauté it, bake it, steam it, or boil it. Grilling is a great way to serve asparagus, see some asparagus recipes below.
– Sauteed Asparagus
Typically, asparagus is sautéed in olive oil, or fat and margarine, and seasoned with various herbs. When sautéing asparagus, I often use garlic and European herbs such as basil, oregano, Himalayan sea salt and rosemary. Also add pepper or replace it with black pepper. For more special, you can sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese that is still fresh.
– Grilled Asparagus
Apart from sautéing, you can also grill asparagus, it also has a very delicious taste. Before grilling, mix asparagus with olive oil, pepper, balsamic vinegar, salt and then grill for 2 to 3 minutes until tender.
There are also those who grill it with olive oil, pepper, salt, roast briefly and remove, sprinkle with cheese, lemon zest and a little lemon balm.
– Oven Roasted Asparagus
You can also roast asparagus in the oven, bake for 10-25 minutes, this depends on the thickness of your asparagus.
What Foods Go Well With Asparagus?
Asparagus is versatile, and it absorbs the flavors from other vegetables. So many also combine asparagus with several types of vegetables. Usually, asparagus is delicious in collaboration with some of the following vegetables.
– Hollandaise Sauce
This is a classic collaboration for asparagus, combining the egg yolks with the butter sauce will go very well with the sulfur-like aroma of asparagus.
– Bacon
Usually, for bacon lovers, they often wrap asparagus with thin bacon. For them this is a harmonious collaboration.
– Parmesan Cheese
If you’re grilling asparagus, try sprinkling some fresh Parmesan cheese on top.
– Butter
Anything that is combined with butter, then everything will be delicious, including asparagus.
– Eggs
Eggs are a delicacy that pairs well with asparagus, either grilled or stir-fried.
– Strawberries
If you have some strawberries, you can serve them with asparagus by making a salad, adding some shaved ice, and topping with almonds and feta cheese. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar to add flavor.
To further enrich the taste and nutrition, you can add some other ingredients to the asparagus salad. You can add fish, lamb, chicken and it is sure to taste very good.
– Dill
Plants such as dill can be combined with asparagus because they have a balanced and similar taste.
– Fish
If you’re combining asparagus with fish, it’s perfect to add a squeeze of lime and add spices like tarragon, dill, and garlic.
Check out more:
Final Thoughts From FoodEatings
When it comes to nutrition, asparagus is a vegetable that is highly coveted.
Indeed, the price is expensive but the nutritional content can balance the price, but make sure you buy fresh on the market.
What does asparagus taste like, it has an earthy, sweet, light taste and tastes like grass or broccoli. For those of you who like broccoli, you will most likely like this spear vegetable.
Cooking asparagus should not be overcooked because it can increase the bitter taste, and sour. If you are unsure whether it is cooked or not, then letting it half cook is better than overcooking it.
If you’re new to trying, don’t buy canned asparagus because fresh is better. In addition, the ones that are missing must have been processed to maintain freshness and a longer shelf life.
