Asparagus

Asparagus officinalis

Folate and asparagine in tender spring spears

Asparagus is a perennial vegetable grown for the young spears that push up in spring, and once a planting is established it produces for many years. The spears carry folate, the amino acid asparagine, and the flavonoid rutin, and they're best blanched or grilled. One thing worth noting: asparagus shares a genus with cheonmun-dong (Asparagus cochinchinensis), a plant used in traditional Korean herbal medicine, but it is a different species. It's more accurate not to assume that edible asparagus carries the same medicinal effects attributed to cheonmun-dong.

Year-Round Calendar

Sowing

Harvest

Health Benefits

Nutrition (modern). Asparagus is a spring vegetable rich in folate, the amino acid asparagine, and the flavonoid rutin.

Distinct from the herb. The traditional Korean herbal medicine cheonmun-dong is a different species within the same genus and should not be confused with edible asparagus.

Nutrition

Folate (Vitamin B9) — Supports blood formation and cell function
Asparagine and rutin (Amino acid and flavonoid) — Help with fatigue and provide antioxidant action

Pairings

○ Olive oil (grilled) — Brushing the spears with oil and grilling them brings out their sweetness and aroma.

○ Bacon and eggs — Wrapped in bacon or served alongside eggs, it makes a satisfying breakfast.

○ Blanched in salads — A quick blanch keeps the spears crisp and adds a crunchy texture to salads.

Source: Rural Development Administration (Nongsaro)