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White Asparagus
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White asparagus is green asparagus grown under the cover of soil or dark plastic, unexposed to sunlight. Without chlorophyll the asparagus does not produce any pigment or color. Varieties used to produce White asparagus are thicker than the common green cultivars. The stalks are pearly white and smooth, measuring 10 to 15 centimeters long with rounded, tapered tips. White asparagus offers a succulent texture and a mildly sweet, nutty, earthy flavor with a hint of bitterness.
White asparagus is available during the mid-spring and early summer months.
White asparagus is developed through careful cultivation. Botanically known as Asparagus officinalis, White asparagus is cultivated using a different growing method than the green or purple varieties. They are covered in mounds of dirt called ‘hillings’, the lack of sunlight preventing photosynthesis and the production of chlorophyll. The pale spears are harvested when the tops barely protrude from the earth. White asparagus is most popular in Germany and Switzerland, where it is known as Spargel, and is considered a delicacy.
White asparagus is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin C. It also contains fiber, iron, niacin, and vitamins A, B1 and B2. White asparagus is a good source of antioxidants rutin, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, glutathione and ferulic acid. The pale variety also contains a high amount of aspartic acid, which was named after asparagus, the source from which it was first isolated.
White asparagus can be used raw or cooked. They can be dirtier than their green counterparts and may need a more thorough washing. In addition to cutting or snapping off the tough ends, White asparagus spears are more fibrous, and the bottom two-thirds requires peeling. Once prepared, use whole spears for crudité platters or add chopped or shaved spears to salads. The pale spears can be used in any recipe calling for asparagus and lends well to steaming, roasting, baking, and sautéing. Traditional European recipes call for simmered spears topped with melted butter or hollandaise. German restaurants serve steamed White asparagus warm or chilled or alongside pfannkuchen, thin crepes with hollandaise. The spears are also popular in terrines or savory tarts. White asparagus can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Asparagus, particularly White asparagus, has been planted in the Alsace region of France since Roman times. The Confrerie Asperge, or Brotherhood of Asparagus, was founded in 1985 in the town of Village-Neuf. The small town lies in the Haut-Rhin department of Alsace along the Rhine River, bordering Germany and Switzerland. The Brotherhood holds an annual celebration in early April for the ‘premier piquage’ or first White asparagus picking of the season. During this time of year, across the Rhine in Germany, ‘Spargelhof’ or “houses of asparagus” pop up to serve dishes with White asparagus as the main ingredient.
Asparagus is native to the Mediterranean countries of southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. While green asparagus is still found in the wild in addition to being cultivated, White asparagus is a purely cultivated product. It is predominantly grown in France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain and Greece. Peru is the main asparagus producer for the North American market. Production of White asparagus is more laborious which makes them more expensive than the green varieties. Certain cultivars are favored to produce White asparagus, like Gijnlim and Ravel. Because of such a short season, White asparagus is often preserved by pickling and is sold in stores as “gourmet” asparagus. This is the most common way to spot White asparagus outside of its primary growing region.
Recipes that include White Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.
People have shared White Asparagus using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
| Food Buzz: History of Asparagus |
Description/Taste
White asparagus is green asparagus grown under the cover of soil or dark plastic, unexposed to sunlight. Without chlorophyll the asparagus does not produce any pigment or color. Varieties used to produce White asparagus are thicker than the common green cultivars. The stalks are pearly white and smooth, measuring 10 to 15 centimeters long with rounded, tapered tips. White asparagus offers a succulent texture and a mildly sweet, nutty, earthy flavor with a hint of bitterness.
Seasons/Availability
White asparagus is available during the mid-spring and early summer months.
Current Facts
White asparagus is developed through careful cultivation. Botanically known as Asparagus officinalis, White asparagus is cultivated using a different growing method than the green or purple varieties. They are covered in mounds of dirt called ‘hillings’, the lack of sunlight preventing photosynthesis and the production of chlorophyll. The pale spears are harvested when the tops barely protrude from the earth. White asparagus is most popular in Germany and Switzerland, where it is known as Spargel, and is considered a delicacy.
Nutritional Value
White asparagus is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin C. It also contains fiber, iron, niacin, and vitamins A, B1 and B2. White asparagus is a good source of antioxidants rutin, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, glutathione and ferulic acid. The pale variety also contains a high amount of aspartic acid, which was named after asparagus, the source from which it was first isolated.
Applications
White asparagus can be used raw or cooked. They can be dirtier than their green counterparts and may need a more thorough washing. In addition to cutting or snapping off the tough ends, White asparagus spears are more fibrous, and the bottom two-thirds requires peeling. Once prepared, use whole spears for crudité platters or add chopped or shaved spears to salads. The pale spears can be used in any recipe calling for asparagus and lends well to steaming, roasting, baking, and sautéing. Traditional European recipes call for simmered spears topped with melted butter or hollandaise. German restaurants serve steamed White asparagus warm or chilled or alongside pfannkuchen, thin crepes with hollandaise. The spears are also popular in terrines or savory tarts. White asparagus can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Asparagus, particularly White asparagus, has been planted in the Alsace region of France since Roman times. The Confrerie Asperge, or Brotherhood of Asparagus, was founded in 1985 in the town of Village-Neuf. The small town lies in the Haut-Rhin department of Alsace along the Rhine River, bordering Germany and Switzerland. The Brotherhood holds an annual celebration in early April for the ‘premier piquage’ or first White asparagus picking of the season. During this time of year, across the Rhine in Germany, ‘Spargelhof’ or “houses of asparagus” pop up to serve dishes with White asparagus as the main ingredient.
Geography/History
Asparagus is native to the Mediterranean countries of southern Europe, northern Africa and western Asia. While green asparagus is still found in the wild in addition to being cultivated, White asparagus is a purely cultivated product. It is predominantly grown in France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain and Greece. Peru is the main asparagus producer for the North American market. Production of White asparagus is more laborious which makes them more expensive than the green varieties. Certain cultivars are favored to produce White asparagus, like Gijnlim and Ravel. Because of such a short season, White asparagus is often preserved by pickling and is sold in stores as “gourmet” asparagus. This is the most common way to spot White asparagus outside of its primary growing region.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include White Asparagus. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared White Asparagus using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Halles Saint Dominique
Halles Saint Dominique
Near Paris, Ile-de-France, France133 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007 Paris France 3-314-551-3976 About 177 days ago, 3/30/23 
The Fresh Market
Near Kendall, Florida, United StatesAbout 236 days ago, 1/29/23 Sharer's comments : White Asparagus here at the Fresh Market in south Florida 
ELSEY & BENT
Elsey & Bent
Near London, England, United Kingdom8 Southwark St London England SE1 1TL 442074073377 About 364 days ago, 9/24/22 
ELSEY & BENT
Elsey & Bent
Near London, England, United Kingdom8 Southwark St London England SE1 1TL 442074073377 About 435 days ago, 7/15/22 
Borough Market
Elsey & Bent
Near London, England, United Kingdom8 Southwark St London England SE1 1TL 442074073377 About 438 days ago, 7/11/22 
Cape Coral Chamber Farmers Market
Cape Coral Farmers Market
Near Cape Coral, Florida, United StatesSE 47th & SE 10th Pl Cape Coral FL 33904 239-549-6900 About 518 days ago, 4/23/22 
Central Market
Near Austin, Texas, United StatesAbout 526 days ago, 4/14/22 Sharer's comments : peru grown 
Winterfeldtplatz
Near Berlin, Berlin, GermanyAbout 535 days ago, 4/06/22 
Marheineke Markthalle
Near Berlin, Berlin, GermanyAbout 537 days ago, 4/04/22 
Central Market
Central Market
Near Austin, Texas, United StatesAustin, Texas About 557 days ago, 3/14/22 
The English Market
English Market
Near Cork, IrelandPrinces St, Centre, Cork, Irelans About 558 days ago, 3/14/22 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 562 days ago, 3/10/22 
Milam's Market
Near Coral Gables, Florida, United StatesAbout 601 days ago, 1/29/22 
Specialty Produce
Near San Diego, California, United StatesAbout 623 days ago, 1/08/22 |
