Fresh Asparagus

Botanically, asparagus is an edible member of the lily family. The name "asparagus" is a Greek word, meaning stalk or shoot. It was first cultivated in ancient Greece, where it was used as an herbal medicine to cure toothaches, prevent bee stings and more. The Romans loved asparagus for its medicinal purposes and culinary qualities.

Green Asparagus has a high natural sugar content. Shortly after harvesting, its sugar starts turning to starch. Spears soon lose their snap, moisture and sweet flavor. That's why asparagus that's fresh from the farm has a unique taste that's superior to others. So usually when we purchase Asparagus from other countries, we choose shipment by air to keep it fresh, and fresh asparagus is sweet and tender and takes only a few minutes to cook.

Asparagus has been promoted as a cure for rheumatism and as a natural remedy for blood cleansing. Throughout history, there been many claims of its healing abilities and medicinal qualities. Medicinal benefits like these have not been proven to be true, but asparagus is a nutrient rich vegetable that does provide great health benefits.

An average serving supplies 60% of the USRDA for Folacin, a B-Vitamin that helps in the duplication of cells for growth and repair of the body and in reproducing blood cells in bone marrow. It's also a rich source of antioxidants - Vitamin C and Vitamin A, and Phytochemicals. Of all fruit and vegetables that have been tested, asparagus has the highest amount of the phytochemical - Glutathione, a potent anticarcinogen and antioxidant. (Phytochemicals, "Phyto" meaning plant, are compounds that slow the development of cancer and heart disease and strengthen the immune system.) Asparagus is also high in potassium, thiamin and fiber. It contains no fat or cholesterol and it's low in sodium and low in calories, with only 25 calories in 6 spears.

When shopping for fresh asparagus, look for crisp, firm, straight green spears with closed, compact tips. Check the bottom of the spears for signs of excessive drying. Avoid spears that have spreading tips and those that are yellowish, soft, or wilted. Choose a bunch with spears that are a uniform diameter, so all will cook in the same amount of time.

Thick or thin? If you've have some experience growing or cooking fresh asparagus, you probably know that this is a vegetable that breaks the rules. Thin does not mean young and tender. Thick does not mean old and tough. While thick or thin spears can be equally tasty when asparagus is very fresh, and spears that are old will be tough, woody and tasteless, regardless of how thick they are, when buying fresh asparagus, choose the thickest spears. When everything else is equal, fat asparagus is more tender than skinny asparagus. Both have firm, fibrous strands outside, but thick spears have more succulent, tender pulp inside.

Specification:

22-24cm long, 100g/bundle,  6kg/foam box.

for size LL: 3-4 piece/bundle

for size L: 5-6 piece/bundle

for size M: 7-8 piece/bundle