[GrowingCoastal]

Originally Posted by My Foot Smells

White asparagus is actually green asparagus that has been grown in the absence of sunlight by covering them with soil or plastic domes so they remain a pale white iridescent color. They can range from micro to jumbo in size. White asparagus contains no chlorophyll because sunlight is required to produce the chlorophyll that makes them green and has less nutritional value than green or purple asparagus. It has a mild flavor, sometimes likened to that of sweet baby artichokes, cooks quickly and can be found on the menu of gourmet restaurants. Because white asparagus requires much time and labor to produce it is very expensive!

Purple asparagus, not surprisingly, is purple in color and grows to be only 2-3 inches in height. The spears have bright purple color with a green interior. Unlike the more commonly enjoyed green variety, purple asparagus is almost fibrous free and some say are best enjoyed raw. They cook quickly, have a fruity flavor and provide the additional health-promoting benefits derived from the phytonutrients called anthocynanins that give it its purple color. The purple color will disappear with prolonged cooking, but if cooked quickly will add some extra color, as well as extra nutrition, to your meal.

Green asparagus is the variety we most often enjoy and is most commonly found in your local market. It grows up to 8 inches in height and older thicker stems can be very fibrous and are usually removed before cooking. They are delicately flavored, easy to prepare and a springtime favorite.

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Is purple short? Saw some purple crown been hawked under title of purple passion. Have no aversion to any color, but primarily just want male cultivators. Female makes things weedy from what I've read......

No, not short here. And not woody when tall enough to eat. I have since seen purple asparagus for sale in the stores - regular size.