#thursdaythrive   all about Asparagus!

• Asparagus is a member of the Lily family.
• Asparagus has no fat, contains no cholesterol and is low in sodium.
• Asparagus has the potential to grow quickly.  In ideal conditions an asparagus spear can grow 10 inches in a day.
• The asparagus plant needs to establish a healthy crown before harvesting. Do not harvest your asparagus the first two years after planting.
• Prime asparagus season is in spring from February to June with April being the most active harvest month in the northern hemisphere.
• There are three types of asparagus.  1.  Green which is what most people buy in the store.  2.  White is green asparagus that has been denied light while growing so the chlorophyll never developed and is less bitter. 3. Purple asparagus has a high sugar and low fiber content. The purple color comes from a phytochemical. This is the same deep-purplish blue pigment found in blueberries.
• When storing asparagus do not wash asparagus or never soak it. Instead, trim the ends of the fresh asparagus and stand them upright in a jar with an inch of water. Cover the asparagus with a plastic bag and store spears in the refrigerator for no more than to two days for best use.

It’s asparagus season! Fun asparagus facts:

1. It takes 3 years from seed to harvest – however once they get going, the plants can be harvested for up to 15 years!
2. China out does the world in asparagus production – The United States come in 5th place with California being the main contributing state.
3. Oceana County in Michigan is the self proclaimed asparagus capital of the world.
4. White Asparagus is one of the most labor intensive vegetables to grow.
5. Asparagus is a very low calorie vegetable – 100g fresh spears are about 20 calories