Green vegetables are often disliked when they aren’t cooked properly. In fact, there is a vegetable that goes well with every meal and has no distinct taste of its own. Sounds nice, doesn't it?
This vegetable will absorb the taste of the ingredients that you cook with it and give your meal an extra enhancement. The said vegetable here is asparagus.
The reasons that we explained are also why asparagus is pretty common. Although they are pretty common, asparagus isn’t born everywhere around the world.
Factually, China produces most of the asparagus. They provide more than half of the asparagus around the world. Well, since you are here we will assume you haven't had asparagus yet. So if you have ever been to china, you would see how much asparagus their meals contain.
What is Asparagus
If you have yet to see an asparagus, these are long thin erected stems. They are called perennial plants that are smooth and grow up to 20 cm. Asparagus has a very distinct flavor. They have a lot of varieties and types but not all are edible.
Some are planets for ornamental purposes. In fact, not all parts of asparagus are edible. The plant produces flowers and fruits as well. Those bell-shaped green flowers and red small fruits are not edible. Only the tall stem is the vegetable that we eat. Asparagus is also a healthy vegetable that can prevent many diseases.
Types of Asparagus
Even though the green one is the most common, there are many types of asparagus eaten all over the world.
White Asparagus
As you can tell by the name, these are white in color. The reason is white asparagus grow in the dark and lacks the element in their cell that causes plants to be green. They are originally from European countries like the Netherlands and Spain.
As a matter of size, they are comparatively taller than others. Also, tastes less sweet but has a more tender texture. They aren’t as popular as green ones since they originate from specific countries. Therefore, white asparagus is more expensive. The cost will get double that of other common colors. White ones also taste bitter but are more delicate than others. If you are interested to try white asparagus, you can buy them here.
Purple Asparagus
Purple ones can be healthy but also not. Confusing? Let us explain. Purple asparagus has 20% more sugar in them which makes them quite sweet. It also makes them unhealthy to eat for people who are trying to lose weight. So, if you are on a weight loss journey, remember not to include purple asparagus in your diet.
On the other hand, purple asparagus also have more nutrients in them than other types. They make your dish healthier in a way that you will get a more balanced diet if you add them.
So the choice is yours. Whether you want to add them or not depends on the type of diet you follow. Purple asparagus is the same in size as green ones. They aren’t as uncommon as white asparagus but definitely not as common as greens either.
What Does Asparagus Taste Like?
Asparagus is a versatile and tricky vegetable. Its taste depends on so many things. From color to breed to ingredients, it's being used with, the taste can vary a lot. It can absorb the smell and flavor of things being cooked with it. Which is a good thing when you use asparagus as a side dish.
Therefore, if you cook something that has a strong smell and flavor like butter, garlic, or onion, it can create wonders. The flavor of asparagus is quite strong. We can easily compare it with vegetables like mushrooms or broccoli. It definitely has the taste of green vegetables. However, they don’t have any odor. Instead, it takes the smell of the vegetable being cooked with it.
You can also buy bigger asparagus like the white ones if you want a more tender texture. Older asparagus will also be soggier than younger ones. One rule of thumb is to avoid cooking asparagus for a long time. It will lose its flavor completely.
Asparagus can also taste like beans if you bake them. Added lemon juice will create a completely similar taste. However, you need to expect a firm and bold texture than beans even if you bake them. Asparagus is so versatile, you can literally add them to every meal or snack you have. In the morning you can add asparagus as a side dish with omelets, scrambled eggs, etc.
Sprinkle some salt and pepper on them to taste better. During lunch, asparagus is a common dish. Add them with the fish filler, in the salad bowl, with other ingredients. And asparagus will blend in right away. During dinner, you can cook the asparagus in butter or olive oil to serve with the fish fillet.
At a family dinner? Add asparagus with the beef steak. It will absorb the smoky flavor and taste better with butter. If not anything, asparagus can be a great snack. You can deep fry them, or simply eat them like other fruits or carrots. With so many nutrients and availability, asparagus is a versatile vegetable that you should definitely try.
Health Benefits of Asparagus
Asparagus is known to have tons of fiber in it that makes your digestive system better. If you suffer from bloating from time to time, try to eat asparagus. They don’t have a distinct taste like other green vegetables which makes it easier to eat them with every meal. It will help your digestive system get better too.
Therefore, it is also rated during weight loss programs. If you are trying to lose weight, you can use the green and white species of asparagus as they don’t have as much sugar as the purple ones. Also, like any other green vegetable, asparagus absorbs a lot of water inside it. Which makes you lose weight and keeps you hydrated.
Try to include it in your meal during a dry season like winter to keep your body hydrated. A lot of people say that asparagus makes your urine smell bad. While that information is true, it also has a diuretic effect that helps your urinary system healthy.
Moreover, it has vitamins A, C, E, and K. Among many minerals, it has chromium that helps with transporting glucose. The number of antioxidants present in asparagus makes it fight against cancers too. Therefore, it is a highly sought-after vegetable to use with snacks and meals. To put things in numbers let’s look at this chart from USDA.
It says 100g of asparagus has 93.2 g of water, 85 KJ energy, 2.1 g of fiber, 24 mg of calcium that helps with your bones and teeth, and 202 mg of potassium. With so much of nutrients and health benefits, it tops the list of vegetables that people of any age should eat regularly. The versatility makes it even more efficient.
Conclusion
Still confused if you should buy asparagus? Well, our recommendation is to go ahead and try them. Asparagus is a very healthy vegetable. You don't have anything to lose while you eat them.
If anything, it will make your meal more delicious, healthy, and balanced. Especially for older people, asparagus can help improve their brain function and keep them healthy. Then it becomes a necessity to have asparagus. If you still aren’t convinced, here’s what Gordon Ramsey has to say about asparagus-
