food
Green or white asparagus: which is healthier?
© karepa / Adobe Stock
Spring brings sunshine, birdsong and early blooms – and asparagus on our plates. The question arises: what is actually more useful – green or white asparagus?
When mountains of asparagus pile up on market counters and supermarkets, know: it’s spring! White asparagus, also known as white asparagus, is especially popular in this country – every German eats an average of 1.7 kilograms of it per year.
By the way, this was not always the case: about 200 years ago, mostly green asparagus was on German plates. It still happens in other places like Spain or Greece.
white or green? What is the difference?
Noble seasonal vegetables sold at outrageous prices, especially in early spring, are almost a status symbol. Germans love their asparagus – especially the tips are considered a delicacy. In Cologne, a spear vegetable is worth millions, even in the Wallraf-Riharz Museum in Cologne: Edouard Manet painted an “asparagus bunch” around 1880. It is hard to imagine that this vegetable is almost unknown in many parts of the world.
Unlike white asparagus, which grows underground and is pricked as soon as it pokes its head out of the ground, green asparagus grows above ground. At the same time, it forms chlorophyll, which gives it a green color. It is not as refined and not as delicate and subtle in taste as its white counterpart, but thanks to its piquant taste it is excellent in a salad or a casserole.
And what is more useful: green or white asparagus?
Asparagus is more than 90 percent water, extremely low in calories, and fat-free. In addition to vitamins A, B, C, E and K, asparagus also contains a large number of valuable minerals. Due to its high potassium content, it also has a draining effect.
But in general, green asparagus is a step ahead in terms of health: it contains more vitamin C and folate, and contains more B vitamins than its white competitor. Another plus: green asparagus does not need to be cleaned. Only the wooden ends should be removed before cooking.
At the end of the day, though, it doesn’t matter whether you prefer white or green asparagus, both types of asparagus are very healthy. When choosing, you should be guided mainly by your own taste.
This article first appeared on geo.de.