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    Home Β» What is the Difference Β» What is the Difference Between Purple and Green Asparagus?

    What is the Difference Between Purple and Green Asparagus?

    Published: May 16, 2019 Β· Modified: Oct 14, 2019 by Eric Samuelson

    Have you ever seen purple asparagus before? Is it any different in flavor than green? We got all the purple asparagus questions you ever had answered in today's post.

    What is the Difference Between Purple and Green Asparagus

    So many of the vegetables that we say are green, can actually be purple as well.

    Peas. Artichokes. Kale. Cabbage. Brussels Sprouts.

    All of these veggies come in purple, although the cabbage we call red for some reason.

    Since it's spring time which means asparagus season I want to talk about whether asparagus can be purple and how it differs from it's green counterpart.

    Let's talk asparagus!

    Green or purple (red) asparagus
    Is purple asparagus any different than green? What about red? Again we see the world of vegetables confused, is it purple or red? Looks purple to me! Also look off at the top right - those are wild ramps - another spring delight.

    How is Purple Asparagus Different from Green Asparagus?

    Asparagus comes in more than just green. There are white and purple asparagus. Today we are focusing on the purple variety. Is it any different than the traditional green?

    The first time I purchased purple asparagus was from Whole Foods Market. This bunch happened to be locally grown here in Michigan. I have seen it many grocery stores since.

    Purple Asparagus Taste

    I have heard some people say that purple asparagus is sweeter than green. I have not fond that to be the case as of yet. I had both purple and green side by side, and maybe the purple was a little sweeter, but nothing really noticeable in my or my dinner guests' opinion.

    The actual flavor of the purple asparagus is the same as the green. I wasn't able to detect any difference.

    Is Purple Asparagus Better for You?

    One thing that might be different is the health benefits. Dark colored fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals that may help the battle against cancer. While green asparagus is good for you, the purple might have a few advantages for our nutrition.

    Roasted Green and Purple Asparagus
    Can you tell that the purple asparagus is on the right? It still has a a little bit of the purple color in it, especially when you compare them side by side.

    Does Purple Asparagus Change Green When Cooked?

    I have grown purple bush beans before and every time I have cooked them, their purple color quickly vanishes.

    My first thought was that the same thing would happen with the purple asparagus. But this only was part true. I roasted my asparagus (following this method) and while most of the purple color was lost you could tell which spears were purple.

    What you will notice when you cut into purple asparagus is that the inferior looks the same as green asparagus. The purple color is only skin deep.

    How to Preserve Color of Purple Asparagus During Cooking

    Boiling purple asparagus will turn it a drab, unappealing color. However if you boil the purple asparagus for a minute or less you might able to save some of the color if you quickly throw it into a bowl of ice water. It still be pretty crisp but that might work to keep some of the color.

    I haven't experimented much with that. I have blanched snap peas several times and it gives them a vivid green color.

    It's not that the asparagus is changing color but the pigment that makes the purple color is sensitive to heat. When the heat hits the color fades leaving only the green, which makes you think it;s changing color.

    Bundles of green and purple asparagus
    Both these bunches of asparagus contain thick spears. The width of the asparagus does not indicate how tender it will be. Thick asparagus can be tender.

    Is Purple Asparagus Thicker?

    I don't want to say this is a rule but every time I have had or seen purple asparagus it has been pretty thick. Asparagus spears that are thicker tend to have more flavor but are not tougher at all.

    I cut off the last couple inches of the purple asparagus, which is too tough to chew. I don't throw it out. The ends can be used to make soup.

    What Time of the Year Can You Buy Purple Asparagus?

    Most of the year it can be pretty hard to find. I find it here in Michigan during fresh asparagus season, which is in May (learn more about when asparagus is in season). Mainly found at farmer's markets and a few times I have seen it in the grocery store.

    If you want you can grow purple asparagus yourself. You just need to order the crowns and find a good spot to plant them.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. SushiNoel

      June 20, 2023 at 2:16 pm

      I have heard that using lemon juice preserves purple color in foods when cooking. I’ve never tried to cook purple cauliflower any other way than adding lemon juice, but the color stays when I do it, not sure if the same applies to other vegetables or not. Of course, cauliflower is a lot more porous, so that might be a factor.

    2. Eric Samuelson

      June 21, 2023 at 9:25 am

      I don't think I have tried putting lemon juice on purple asparagus. Purple cauliflower always stay purple when you cook it. I have done it without any lemon juice quite a bit and it's not one that changes. Asparagus and beans are the ones that I have found turned green. I have cooked purple snow peas and purple snap peas and they have maintained their purple color.

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    Hi! I'm Eric : Father of 4, living just south of Ann Arbor, MI. I'm a reformed picky eater finding a new way to not conform. Eating what's in season is my jam (I also make it!)

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