How to Select Asparagus

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By CLehman
eHow Contributing Writer

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Fresh asparagus

Asparagus is a young, edible shoot that arises from an underground stem. These stems can produce asparagus shoots, or spears, for up to 20 years. Asparagus spears are usually only produced in the springtime but can be found in grocery stores year-round. Asparagus is fairly perishable, so it is important to be able to choose the freshest most tender spears. This guide should help.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

This guide.

How to choose fresh asparagus

Step 1

Stalks of asparagus should be crisp and firm and not rubbery.
Step 2

The heads of the asparagus should be tightly compact and brightly colored. There should be no flowers visible.
Step 3

The stalks should be bright green in color, and not yellow. Although there are white varieties of asparagus, they are entirely white. Green asparagus that is fresh is always green.
Step 4

Purchase bundles containing stalks of the same size (diameter) to ensure they will all cook in the same amount of time.
Step 5

Wrap asparagus in a damp cloth and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Tips & Warnings

Avoid overcooking asparagus as it can become soggy and less flavorful as well as losing nutritive value.
A compound called methyl mercaptan is excreted in the urine when people eat asparagus. This is a foul-smelling compound and is completely normal. While all people produce this compound, the ability to smell it is genetically based.

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