How to choose the right asparagus?

Asparagus varieties can differ dramatically in appearance. There is also a difference in the degree of ripening of this vegetable. Young stems do not need to be peeled and have sufficient tenderness and softness after cooking. Old asparagus can also be eaten, but it must be thoroughly peeled beforehand.

Asparagus can be:

• green;
• burgundy;
• yellow.

The main feature that distinguishes young stems from old ones is their thickness and color. In the first case, the asparagus will be thinner with a brighter and more saturated shade, and in the second, the color will be darker, and the stems will be much thicker.

Asparagus can be sold in bunches, in containers, or wrapped in plastic wrap. The packaging option and its presence have no particular effect on the safety and quality of the stems, but if possible, it is necessary to purchase asparagus in the form of bunches. Otherwise, it will be difficult to determine the quality of the stems that are securely covered with packaging material.

How to choose asparagus

The most important criterion for choosing asparagus is to buy a vegetable of the right ripening stage. Color in this case plays a secondary role, but it must be saturated green.

What kind of asparagus can you buy:

• the tips of the asparagus should be covered;
• the asparagus must be firm;
• there should be no shoots with seeds on asparagus;
• asparagus is odorless;
• if asparagus is bought in packaging, then there should not be even a minimum amount of condensation;
• the appearance of the asparagus should be as fresh as possible without signs of drying or wilting;
• the asparagus must be clean and free from damage or dark spots on the stems;
• the shape of the stem of good asparagus is always round.

What kind of asparagus is not worth buying:

• if the tips of the asparagus are slightly open, then the vegetable is overripe;
• if the stem is flat, then the purchase should be abandoned (a similar decision should be made if the stem is smooth and ribbed);
• if there are arrows with seeds at the tip of the stem, then the asparagus is overripe;
• If the asparagus stem is too thin, it will taste too herbaceous (a sign of unripe asparagus);
• asparagus with signs of rotting or pest damage is not worth buying;
• it is not recommended to buy asparagus with numerous dots on the surface of the stems or dry areas (such signs are characteristic of asparagus affected by diseases);
• if the asparagus stalks are wet, then the vegetable was either washed to remove signs of spoilage, or it has already begun to rot;
• asparagus with any smell should be the reason for refusal to purchase;
• washed asparagus is stored for a minimum amount of time;
• if the asparagus is sold in a package with a large accumulation of condensation, then the stems have already begun to deteriorate or they have been stored incorrectly;
• Asparagus with dry stem tips is also not worth purchasing.

You can determine the freshness of the asparagus by looking at the cut of the stems. If this area is dry and the internal fiber is clearly visible, then the asparagus will be too dry after cooking. The fibrous structure of the stems appears only if the asparagus is old.