Asparagus growing

Asparagus cures hangover and preserves liver

What can we do in case of hangover? We can drink a lot of water, take a rest, but we can also eat asparagus. A new study shows that amino acids and minerals in the extract of asparagus may relieve drowsiness and protect liver cells from toxins in alcohol. Extracts taken from the leaves and shoots of asparagus have been analyzed in the laboratory at the Institute of Medical Sciences at the South Korean National University. The research has shown how asparagus affects on human and rats liver cells.

“The analysis has shown a significant reduction of cell toxicity after treatment of extract from the leaves and shoots of asparagus”, confirmed the principal investigator B.Y. Kim and added: “These results provide evidence of how the biological function of asparagus can help reduce alcohol hangover and protect liver cells.”

Over time, chronic alcohol abuse causes oxidative stress that leads to liver damage, and excessive absorption of alcohol can result with headache, nausea, diarrhea and thirst.

Asparagus has long been used to fight cancer, fungal diseases, inflammation, and is also known by diuretic effect. It is also a good source of folic acid, potassium, fiber, vitamin B6, vitamins A and C and thiamine.

Technorati Tags: asparagus, hangover

Asparagus is considered as one of the most healthful food on the planet and helps many ailments. Compared to other vegetables and fruits it has much more nutrients it supplies. Ten ounces, which is the same as one box of frozen spears, have just 68 calories and 9 grams of protein. Asparagus is an excellent food for loosing weight. It gives you a variety of minerals such as calcium, zinc, copper, selenium and manganese - like a vitamin pill.

Asparagus is populated with antioxidants and other substances that have been shown to prevent tumors and cancers, especially lung cancer, cervical cancer, colon and rectal cancer. Furthermore, it contains the rutin and glutathione that are very important in healing blood and liver vessels. Beside that, it is very rich in folic acid, which is essential for a healthy cardiovascular system. Folic acid is also important in pregnancy because it prevents birth defects. Eating asparagus has benefits in preventing symptoms of PMS, e.g. premenstrual swelling and bloating.

Another value of asparagus are diuretic and alkaline properties. That induces cleansing the body by simulating urination and helps prevent or dissolve kidney stones. This can cause strange smell of urine, but don’t worry, it just means that your kidneys functioning very well.

Technorati Tags: asparagus, cancer, folic acid, health

When making a bouquet for the bride, it is important to consider the greenery that will come with the flowers. Because of their color, shape, and ability to complement flowers asparagus is well known as bridal fern. Asparagus leaves are used for making beautiful bouquets that brides carry on their way to the alter.
Asparagus also look very beautiful when used in garden both for outdoor and indoor. In hanging baskets and window boxes they simply look adorable when it blooms with its bright colors.
The problem is that this foliage has short life, about 2 - 3 days. That is why dry leaves are getting popularity amongst people, as it is an everlasting, inexpensive, and ecological product.
You can preserve asparagus foliages through dehydration with a view to preserve the freshness and beauty of foliages for a long time, embedding one to enjoy its beauty even at home as well as in the office.

How to Dehydrate or Dry Asparagus

Pick asparagus when they are dry because moisture can be appear between leaves and cause mold. Divide the leaves into small bunches, and tie each bunch with an elastic band. String or wire are not good, as the shrinking of the stems as they dry can cause falling out of their tie on to the floor, making damage! Hang the bunches upside down in an airy and warm place (up to 55 degrees Celsius), preferably in the dark or in low light. Strong light will bleach out the beautiful green color. You must assure plenty of room for air circulation to prevent mold forming and to speed up the drying process. You can tell when they are dry by carefully flexing them. If they don’t break they are not ready yet.

Technorati Tags: asparagus, dehydrate, dry, foliage, leaves

White asparagus is very popular in Europe, where it is also known as spargel, which is the German name for asparagus. As most asparagus in Germany is white, they usually call the green one grüner Spargel. Beside Germany, it is also widely appreciated in Netherlands, France and Belgium. Germany is a big producer of asparagus and they call it the Royal Vegetable.

During the ’60s it was commercially grown in California, but now it can be found in cans or as a pricey, fresh import during a few short months when it is harvested, from late April to early June.
California growers stop producing the white asparagus because it is highly labor-intensive crop so producers from Taiwan took over the industry due to their much lower labor costs.

White asparagus is also called the king of darkness because it grows underground and sometimes it is even referred to as white gold. It is special for how it is produced. It is cultivated by depriving the plants light. The plant is covered with dirt while growing to keep it in the dark. That way the plant cannot produce chlorophyll so the stalks don’t get their green color and remain white. This process of growing white asparagus is called etiolation.

So what effect does this process of production have on its flavor? Well, the white asparagus is slightly bitter, but tender, fibreless, soft and more delicate than the green one.

White asparagus requires more concern when it comes to preparation and storage. The chefs suggest storing it with the tips up in 3 inches of water with a little sugar, for three days maximum.
When preparing the spears for cooking, you can use the potato peeler to peel of the woody pulp and hard skin. Around 30% of the spear would be peeled but it can be used for making a soup.

Technorati Tags: etiolation, growing white asparagus, spargle, white asparagus

Asparagus crops

Originally uploaded by Asparagus

I was looking at some asparagus photos on my flickr account and it reminded me of our spring harvest. You can see one of those pics here, and you can search on Flickr for a few more. I also wanted to see how does the photo blogging from Flickr work. Well, it works fine, although the post looks a bit ugly

In our first post we mentioned that asparagus was recognized for its aphrodisiac effect from early times. The new ‘Eat This, Not That!’ book exposes which food will enhance your love life. Guess who is high on the Hot list in the “Hot or Not” food quiz.

Yeah, its our lovely asparagus!

They say:

“Hot! It may not seem like a sexy veggie (especially when it’s steamed to the point of limpness –yikes), but asparagus is one of the oldest aphrodisiacs out there. And for good reason — asparagus is packed with vitamin E, which stimulates the production of sex hormones.”

Source: Hot or not? Best and worst foods for your sex drive

Technorati Tags: aphrodisiac, asparagus, asparagus facts, asparagus nutrition, sex drive

Take a look at our asparagus garden. It’s like a jungle sometimes in there
There you can also see our freshly picked asparagus

Asparagus Garden

Technorati Tags: asparagus garden, grow asparagus

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).

Technorati Tags: asparagus, asparagus benefits, asparagus facts, asparagus health, asparagus nutrition, asparagus urine, calories in asparagus, white asparagus