Fast Facts
Asparagus officinalis
• a member of the lily family related to onions, leeks, and garlic
• stalk diameter is not a reliable indicator of maturity or tenderness
• ethylene exposure tends to make spears tough and overly firm
Varieties
Dark green; also available in white (blanched) and light green
U.S. Grades
• U.S. No. 1 – fresh, well trimmed (i.e., at least two-thirds of stalk ends are smoothly cut and parallel to package bottom with no strings or fraying), fairly straight stalks, free from decay or damage with diameters not less than one-half inch with two-thirds of each stalk in lot color
• U.S. No. 2 – fresh, fairly well trimmed (at least one-third of stalk ends are smoothly cut and parallel to package bottom without strings or fraying), fairly straight stalks, free from decay or damage with diameters not less than 5/16 inch with one-third of each stalk in lot color
Storage Conditions
Recommended storage: 32 to 36º F (0 to 2º C) Freezing point: about 30.9º F (-0.6º C)
Sizes
Diameter is a consideration for grade; no length requirements unless marked—
• Very Small = less than 5/16 inch
• Small = 5/16 to less than 8/16 inch
• Medium = 8/16 to less than 11/16 inch
• Large = 11/16 to less than 14/16 inch
• Very Large = 14/16 inch and up.
No. 1 = 1/2-inch diameter minimum No. 2 = 5/16-inch diameter minimum
