Healthy asparagus Start of the asparagus season

The asparagus season has already started: The asparagus harvest has started about two weeks earlier this year

13/04/2011

Asparagus is not only tasty but also healthy. About two weeks earlier than usual, the asparagus season started this year. Until the traditional end of the harvest season on June 24, consumers can enjoy the soothing sweet vegetables again.

The asparagus farmers expect an extremely productive asparagus season with high quality, reported the Association of South German asparagus and strawberry grower e.V. (VSSE) already at the end of March. The cold winter has helped the asparagus perennials, as they were able to save their energy during low temperatures and now fully deploy them for rapid, vigorous growth, VSSE said.

Growing conditions allow for earlier asparagus harvesting
The unusually warm weather of the past few days has initiated the asparagus season in Germany, said the Chamber of Agriculture North Rhine-Westphalia earlier this week. Due to the widespread cultivation technique, in which the asparagus perennials are used in mini tunnels made of foil, the annual asparagus season starts earlier, said a spokesman for the Chamber of Agriculture. The tunnels made of foil heat up and promote the growth of the asparagus plants, explained the expert. This means that large quantities of asparagus are ready for harvest relatively early in the year. However, the increased harvest potential in Germany is offset by a steadily rising demand among consumers in recent years. For example, "private consumers (...) bought about 1.8 kilos of fresh asparagus per household in 2010," said the spokesman for the Chamber of Agriculture. This year, too, the Germans will enjoy kilo-aspargus again until the traditional end of the asparagus harvest on June 24th. Afterwards, the asparagus farmers treat the plants with a regeneration period so that they can still produce enough new sprouts in the coming year. Thus, the asparagus plant is maintained for six to eight years and delivered to the consumers their tasty yields.

Health benefits of asparagus consumption
But asparagus is not only popular with gourmets, but also healthy. For example, the noble vegetables have a positive effect on the nervous system, cell growth (skin, hair) and digestion. In addition, the asparagus contains a variety of valuable vitamins (A, C, B1, B2 and E) as well as minerals and trace elements (iron, calcium, potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc). In particular, vitamins C and E are considered preventive of vascular disease. In addition, the dietary fiber stimulates the kidney and digestive function, which promotes the excretion of metabolic metabolites. Potassium salts and aspartic acid in asparagus are also believed to have a positive effect on kidney activity and excretion of metabolic metabolites. The zinc absorbed with the noble vegetables supports wound healing, strengthens the connective tissue and contributes to the strengthening of the vessels. In addition, calcium and phosphorus can help strengthen the bones. Last but not least, the contained iron and magnesium help to prevent blood formation and prevent muscle spasms. (Fp)

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Image: Thommy Weiss