Asparagus facts
Name asparagus comes from the Greek word which means sparrow grass offspring. Plant fruit asparagus contains over 300 species, of which for food we use listed species officinalis, while some species are used as decorative plants.
We usually encounter two main types - wild and cultivated asparagus, and they differ in color and form. White asparagus is not a special type, but they are produced with special technique in which the offspring is covered with earth and protected from the effects of sun. You can also find a colored asparagus.
Asparagus growing history
Asparagus is one of the oldest wild cultures of the Mediterranean, where it was grown since ancient times. Egyptians used wild asparagus, which was grown on shorts of the river Nile, as addition to diet, as a gift for the gods, and in the Pharaoh Tombs pictures of asparagus were found. Greeks harvest wild asparagus, and as well as the Romans, they believed that asparagus have healing properties so they used it to heal the bite of an insect and toothache.
Romans first began to cultivate asparagus, and knew how to freeze it: after harvest in the south, carriages would deliver asparagus in the Alps where it was kept out in the snow up to six months, and then returned to Rome for great celebrations. Arabs have believed that asparagus has an aphrodisiac effect and in the 16 century old lovers’ guide asparagus is referred to as the stimulus for love wishes. The same considered Madame Pompadour, and the French king Louis XIV was growing asparagus in a greenhouse in order to have them throughout the year. In 18th century asparagus was replanted in North America (the U.S. is one the largest manufacturers of cultivated asparagus).
Asparagus nutrition
From nutritional perspective asparagus is a very balanced grocery. The best plant source for FOLIC acid, which participates in the synthesis of DNA and creation of erythrocytes, it contains vitamin C, while the dark colored asparagus contain even some beta-carotene. Asparagus contain very little energy - 100 g, 44 kcal (184 kJ), it has no fat or cholesterol, and sodium content is very low. Asparagus contain some fiber and vitamins thiamin (B1) and pyridoxine (B6). Of the minerals sodium, phosphorus and some iron are present.
From phytonutrients, the most important is glutathione, which is by its nature antioxidant and has anticancerogenous effect. Glutathione is one of the strongest anticancerogen and antioxidant in the body and its role is the protection of cells from oxidative damage and damage of the DNA. Glutathione participates in the detoxification of the body - linked to toxins, heavy metals, solvents and pesticides, and metabolize them into water-soluble compounds that are excreted in urine.
Asparagus contains rutin, which strengthens the surface of the blood vessels and protect capillaries from damage. A few hours after eating asparagus, many will see extremely intense odor of urine - which originates from mercaptan, metabolic by-products. This phenomenon was already described in 1702 by French scientist and physician Louis Lémery, in the book Traité des alimens. Mercaptan does not represent a danger to health, and asparagus must certainly not be disposed as a food because of that. It is a strong natural diuretic (stimulates the secretion of fluid from the body).
Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 20 kcal 90 kJ
| Carbohydrates | 3.88 g |
| - Sugars 1.88 g | |
| - Dietary fiber 2.1 g | |
| Fat | 0.12 g |
| Protein | 2.20 g |
| Thiamine (Vit. B1) 0.143 mg | 11% |
| Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.141 mg | 9% |
| Niacin (Vit. B3) 0.978 mg | 7% |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) 0.274 mg | 5% |
| Vitamin B6 0.091 mg | 7% |
| Folate (Vit. B9) 52 μg | 13% |
| Vitamin C 5.6 mg | 9% |
| Calcium 24 mg | 2% |
| Iron 2.14 mg | 17% |
| Magnesium 14 mg | 4% |
| Phosphorus 52 mg | 7% |
| Potassium 202 mg | 4% |
| Zinc 0.54 mg | 5% |
| Manganese 0.158 mg | |
Percentages are relative to US recommendations
for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient database
Now you have met with some basic facts about asparagus, its history and nutrition information. I hope we have managed to convince you to incorporate this ingredient in your diet, if you haven’t already. In further posts we’ll show you how to grow asparagus in your garden, and suggest some tasty asparagus recipes.
[...] our first post we mentioned that asparagus was recognized for its aphrodisiac effect from early times. The new [...]