John M

Asparagus does not have to be blanched before freezing, but blanching is highly recommended if you want to preserve its flavor, texture, and nutritional value for the long haul.   While you can technically freeze asparagus without blanching it first, the results after thawing won’t be nearly as good.   If you’ve been wondering whether … Read more

Asparagus does like slightly acidic soil, and it actually grows best when the soil pH is somewhere between 6.0 and 6.8.   That said, asparagus is a tough, forgiving perennial, so it can tolerate a bit of variation as long as the soil drains well and isn’t waterlogged.   If you’ve been wondering, “does asparagus … Read more

Yes, asparagus does have lectins, but the amounts are generally low and not usually a cause for concern for most people.   Asparagus contains a small amount of lectins, which are naturally occurring proteins found in many plant foods.   These lectins can be reduced significantly through cooking, and since asparagus is almost always eaten … Read more

Asparagus does have leaves, but they aren’t the big, flat, leafy greens you might picture when you think of a leafy vegetable.   Instead, the leaves of asparagus are tiny, needle-like structures called cladodes, which grow along the spears and often get mistaken for the plant’s stems.   If you’ve ever asked yourself “does asparagus … Read more

Asparagus does contain iodine, but only in very small amounts.   If you’ve ever asked yourself “does asparagus have iodine,” the short answer is yes, though it’s not a rich source of this mineral.   Asparagus offers a tiny bit of iodine, along with a whole lot of other valuable nutrients that make it a … Read more

Asparagus does contain purines, which the body breaks down into uric acid, so it does have a moderate amount of uric acid potential.   But here’s the good news: asparagus is actually one of the lower-purine vegetables out there.   So if you’re watching your uric acid levels, asparagus can still fit into your diet … Read more