How and where to store asparagus correctly?

Many nuances affect the shelf life of asparagus. In addition to creating the necessary temperature conditions, it is important to choose the right asparagus for storage and take into account some of the nuances of its varieties. The maximum period for a vegetable to preserve its freshness is several days, and even in a frozen state, it quickly loses its taste.

The nuances of storing asparagus:

• You can only store asparagus with closed heads (with sprouted ends, asparagus is not only not stored, but also not eaten);
• green asparagus for storage is selected according to the length of the stems (plants from 15 to 18 cm are stored better, keeping their freshness and juiciness);
• white asparagus for storage is selected according to the thickness of the stem (the thicker the stem, the better the asparagus will be stored);
• it is better to store asparagus in the refrigerator in the compartment for herbs or vegetables;
• in the refrigerator, asparagus will be better preserved if you first wrap it with a cloth;
• if a white bloom appears on the surface of the asparagus stems or the skin begins to dry out, then it will not be possible to store it (such asparagus is considered old and overripe, and its taste has already been violated);
• an effective way of storing asparagus is the method of preserving bouquets (first, small sections of asparagus are cut off, then the sprouts are placed in a container with water and only after that the “bouquet” is placed in the refrigerator);
• the taste properties of asparagus are violated on the third day of its storage (the longer the asparagus is not eaten, the more rigid and dry it becomes);
• you can extend the shelf life of asparagus if you wrap the sprouts with wet wipes or a cloth at the cut site;
• under no circumstances should the asparagus be washed before storage ((humidity will be the first cause of signs of decay);
• you can create additional protection for sprouts from wilting using a structure made of a jar of water and a plastic bag (asparagus is placed, like a bouquet, in a container with water, and covered with a plastic bag on top, such a structure should be placed in the coolest and darkest place or in the refrigerator);
• asparagus can be cooled in ice water, wrapped in foil and placed in the freezer (within a week, the sprouts will definitely not violate their taste properties);
• salt will help to extend the shelf life of asparagus and preserve its freshness (sprinkle chopped asparagus with coarse salt and place the mixture in a container and refrigerator);
• thin sprouts of green asparagus are characterized by a high moisture content (they cannot be stored for a long time, and the taste will be pronounced herbaceous).

Growers have invented a special way of storing asparagus, thanks to which it can be kept fresh for almost a year. First, the cut off parts of the stems are carefully burned with fire (to get an absolutely charred area). Then each shoot is wrapped in paper and sprinkled with ordinary charcoal when stacked in a box. It is recommended to store such a workpiece in the cool conditions of cellars and basements.

How much and at what temperature to store asparagus

In the temperature conditions of cellars and basements, asparagus is stored for several weeks. At home, using the refrigerator, the sprouts will remain fresh and juicy for only three days. At room temperature, asparagus begins to wilt within a few hours.

Asparagus can be stored not only in the refrigerator, but also in the freezer. Such nuances will not affect the shelf life, but juiciness under the influence of low temperatures can be preserved better. You can put asparagus in the freezer in a cloth, cling film, or plastic bag.

The most optimal storage conditions for asparagus are considered to be temperatures from 0 to +1 degrees.… At this temperature, the sprouts can retain their natural flavoring properties for 3-4 weeks. An additional means of preserving freshness can be used wet river sand to pour over the stems.

Air humidity should be around 90%. With a lower value, the asparagus will begin to dry out, and with an increased value, it will deteriorate.