Asparagus Facts and Figures

Asparagus can make your urine smell of bad eggs! Some people are worse affected than others.

Culpepper, the 17th Century herbalist wrote that asparagus "stir up lust in man and woman". It is still considered by many to be an aphrodisiac.

Asparagus is one of the fastest growing vegetables around. In tip top conditions it can grow 25cm (10in) in a single day.

Asparagus plants are either male or female. The female ones can be recognised by the berries they produce.

Asparagus was once thought to be related to the Lily family of plants. recently though, horticulturalists have realised that they are a separate family of their own. A new family name of Asparagaceae has been created for the 100+ species of asparagus.

White asparagus is simply normal asparagus which has not been exposed to sunlight. Mounds of earth are drawn up around the stems as they grow. this is similar to blanching celery.

On average, Americans eat a pound of asparagus each year.

Asparagus is best eaten as soon as it is harvested but it will keep well for two or three days if it is stoop in 3cm (1in) of water. Keep in a cool and shaded position.

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