What do you know about asparagus? Every year, we get very excited with the arrival of the first asparagus at our local farmer’s market, but beyond its culinary uses, there are some fascinating facts about asparagus that everyone should know.
For example, did you know that not everyone can smell that stinky pee after eating asparagus?
Edible Member of the Lily Family
I know that asparagus may not be seen as a beautiful flower, but they are part of the Lily family, together with other vegetables such as onion, garlic, or leeks. Also, vanilla and agave are part of this family.
Not Two, but Three Varieties of Asparagus
There are three varieties of asparagus in color: green, white, and purple. This last variety may not be as common as the other two. You'll easily get green asparagus in season and white asparagus all year round, but purple asparagus are not so common. These are fruity, and some people assure you that your pee won't stink after eating purple Asparagus!
Fast-growing Vegetable
These nutritious veggies grow amazingly fast: Asparagus can grow up to 10 inches in 24 hours when the weather is ideal! Can you believe it?
Perennial Plants
Asparagus is a type of plant that grows back every year due to its perennial nature. Remarkably, an asparagus field, once fully grown, can thrive for as long as 20 years!
One of the World's Healthiest Foods
You'll be doing yourself a big favor by including this fantastic vegetable in your meals. Asparagus are one of the most nutritionally balanced plant-based foods. These are low in calories and sodium, high in vitamins, and also contain zinc and selenium.
Aphrodisiac Food
In ancient times, asparagus was renowned as an aphrodisiac. The Greeks were the first to have this belief. the truth is that asparagus are rich in Vitamin E which enhances blood and oxygen circulation to the genital areas. It also contains potassium, which plays a crucial role in the production of sex hormones. These properties may contribute to its reputation as a recognized aphrodisiac.
Everyone Get Asparagus Pee, But Not Everyone Can Smell It
Many people report a distinctive and often pungent smell in their urine after consuming asparagus. This is due to the body's breakdown of asparagusic acid, a compound unique to asparagus, but not everyone can smell it! Why? The sulfurous compounds in asparagus pee are highly correlated with a condition called “specific anosmia,” the genetic inability to smell certain odors.
Asparagus Ice Cream
The city of Stockton, California, in the United States, hosts an annual asparagus festival. It even features unique asparagus-themed dishes, such as asparagus ice cream! Would you try it?
Health Benefits
Consuming asparagus can help relieve bloating and improve digestion. This is due to its high content of dietary fiber and prebiotics. If you haven't yet, include asparagus in your weekly menu to help your digestion.
Asparagus Spears
If left to grow, the spears of the asparagus plant develop into fern-like branches that can reach several feet in height! These branches have very strong roots that can be difficult to get rid of!
Hangover Cure
Asparagus is often recommended as a natural remedy for hangovers due to its mineral content and amino acids which may help break down alcohol. You could prepare a healthy salad loaded with asparagus, include it in your pasta meal, or grill it.
They are mostly water!
A spear of asparagus is a spear of hydration! It is composed of 93% water. Also, their water content will be untouched even after cooking it, so you can enjoy them grilled and still get all that hydration in your body.
Spring Into Flavor: Discover The Best 15 Asparagus Recipes Of The Season
Hello Spring! Long time no see! I'm one of those people who count the days until spring. I'm sorry, but winter is not for me. This time of the year brings flowers, sunny days, and, the best part, spring produce!
These last couple of years, we've been trying to eat seasonally as much as we can. We celebrate every season by making new recipes with the ingredients we get at our local farmer's market. We've been seeing Asparagus for the last couple of days, and we can't wait to start cooking with these great Spring additions!
See Them Here: Spring Into Flavor: Discover The Best 15 Asparagus Recipes Of The Season
11 Facts About Avocados You Didn't Know
I'm not here to tell you about avocados' health properties or how many types you can find; you've probably already read these somewhere else. These are facts that most of us are unaware and you may find interesting, and some even funny!
Let me know in the comments which one surprised you the most out of these 11 facts.
See Them Here: 11 Facts About Avocados You Didn't Know
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