Asparagus

Asparagus is the taste of spring awakening—earth pushing green back toward the light. Its flavor carries both snap and subtlety, a grassy brightness with an undertone of minerality and sweetness. It’s elegant but grounding, a vegetable that feels like it’s remembering sunlight after months beneath the soil.

VOLUME
Moderate

FLAVOR PAIRINGS
Lemon, lime, orange zest, grapefruit, tangerine, basil, parsley, mint, dill, tarragon, chervil, chive, cilantro, thyme, rosemary, sage, marjoram, oregano, black pepper, sea salt, garlic, shallot, onion, leeks, scallion, capers, mustard seed, chili flakes, white miso, tamari, rice vinegar, balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, avocado oil, sesame oil, walnut oil, cashew cream, coconut yogurt, almond butter, tahini, vegan butter, cashew cheese, nutritional yeast, almond, walnut, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, peas, green beans, spinach, kale, romaine, arugula, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, potato, sweet potato, beet, carrot, corn, tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, avocado, lemon balm, microgreens, rice, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, oat milk, plant-based cream sauces, vegan pastas, risottos, soups, tonics, and light plant-based broths.

SELECTING
Look for firm, straight spears with tight tips and moist ends. Bright green or purple hues indicate freshness. Thin spears are tender and grassy, while thicker ones are meatier and more robust in flavor.

HOW TO USE
Trim the woody ends and enjoy raw in salads or lightly steamed, roasted, or grilled. Toss with citrus, olive oil, and herbs for brightness, or fold into warm grain bowls and vegan pastas. Shaved raw asparagus adds texture and freshness to tonics or savory smoothies.

STORING
Keep spears upright in a jar with a little water, covered loosely with a cloth, and refrigerate. Use within three days for best flavor and crispness.

SUBSTITUTIONS
Green beans, broccolini, or zucchini for texture and vegetal brightness.

HEALTH BENEFITS
Rich in folate, fiber, and antioxidants that support detoxification and digestive health. Diuretic and purifying, asparagus helps clear stagnation and supports liver and kidney function. Energetically, it renews vitality and awakens dormant energy after periods of stillness.

CONCERNS
Overcooking dulls both color and flavor, leading to sulfur notes. Handle gently and keep its natural snap alive.

HISTORY
Cultivated for over 2,000 years, asparagus was prized by the Greeks and Romans as both delicacy and medicine. In ancient symbolism, it represented fertility and rejuvenation—an emblem of the earth’s returning pulse each spring.