Harvesting the Benefits of Asparagus

When it comes to fresh and delicious produce as the warmer season approaches, produce like asparagus and rhubarb often marks its beginnings. Asparagus is a perennial vegetable which means it can regenerate itself each year. Before asparagus can be harvested it often takes three years for the plant to produce multiple stalks that are thick and meaty. Asparagus that is sold thin are often plants that are approximately 1-year old.(1)

An analysis of the asparagus industry published by the Global Market Insight in 2022 reported of asparagus purchases were -(2)

• 75% green asparagus
• 20% white asparagus
• 10% purple asparagus

In the consumer study, The Packer’s Fresh Trends published in 2023, reported -(3)

• 28% shoppers with no children are more likely to purchase asparagus
• 31% of consumers with an annual household income of at least $100,000 are more likely to purchase asparagus
• Persons who identify as Asian are more likely to consume asparagus than others

Additionally in 2019 a survey published by VeggieTracker reported asparagus as one of the top 10 most disliked vegetables in the United States.(3)  Reasons for disliking asparagus include the texture, taste, and the smell from the aftermath of consuming asparagus.

As a registered dietitian, dislikes for foods like asparagus often stems from not-so-great exposures during childhood to an uncertainty of how to prepare asparagus for one’s palette to find enjoyable. Read further to learn more about asparagus and for a delicious recipe.