Asparagus is now in season in Virginia. I happen to like asparagus, how about you? My preference is grilling it on our gas grill with some olive oil and salt/pepper. Oh so good!
Here are some fun facts about asparagus.
- Asparagus has been cultivated for 2,500 years and for almost 150 years in the United States.
- It takes three years from seed to harvest.
- California is among the top 3 states in asparagus production. Other states that produce bunches of asparagus include Washington and Michigan, while others produce very small quantities.
- Sea salt was the asparagus farmer’s original herbicide.
- White asparagus and green asparagus come from the same plant. Green asparagus gets its color from sunlight. When the plant breaks through the ground, the sun hits it, turning it green. For white asparagus, sunlight is prevented from touching the plant by piling dirt on top of the stalks so the asparagus matures underground. Once the tip breaks through the surface, the stalk is cut with a special knife beneath the ground.
- Asparagus treats bee stings and toothaches. According to the Greeks and Romans 2,500 years ago, that is. Green vegetables are always an excellent choice for oral health but the jury is still out on that one.
- Asparagus makes your urine stink but only some people can actually smell it. Genetic differences occur in olfactory receptors that lead some people to be able to smell these odorous compounds released in urine. Asparagus contains asparagusic acid. When the vegetable is digested, this chemical is broken down into a group of related sulfur-containing and ammonia compounds.
- Asparagus will reproduce for up to 20 consecutive years! Asparagus is a perennial and will continue to produce yearly but patience is key. It takes about 3 years to grow asparagus before you can harvest it.
- Asparagus is a vegetable that is high in nutrients. Asparagus has many health benefits as it is high in fiber, folate, vitamins A, C, E, K, and chromium. Whether you're monitoring your sugar levels, asparagus is good news. It is abundant in the amino acid asparagine, which acts as a natural diuretic, and higher urinating allows the body to get rid of extra salts while also releasing fluid.
- Asparagus can be found in three colors: green, white, and purple.
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