HISTORY OF ASPARAGUS

Asparagus name is derived from Greek word asparagos. It’s native to the East Mediterranean area, cultivated form antiquity and now grown in much of the world. Asparagus cultivation began 2000 years ago in eastern Mediterranean region. Greeks and Romans ate it fresh when in season and dried the vegetable for use in winter.

Having appeared in England as early as the year 1000, it was known as sperage and sperach. Asparagus has been used as a vegetable and medicine, owing to its delicate flavor and diuretic properties.

The Emperor Augustus coined the phrase ‘velocius quam asparagi conquantur’, meaning to do something faster than you can cook asparagus. Julius Caesar first ate it in Lombardy and wanted it served with melted butter. And in the time of King Louis XIV asparagus was dubbed ‘The King of Vegetables’.

Considered to be a delicacy, asparagus is a perennial vegetable that is the member of the lily family. It is a highly prized vegetable, which is grown in countries like United States, Mexico, Peru, France and Spain though it originally came from the Mediterranean region. The most commonly eaten variety of asparagus is the green and white and also the purple variety, which is less common. Asparagus is known for its innumerable health benefits. It is best to have freshly cooked asparagus rather than the canned one since it has fewer nutrients. Check out the nutritional benefits of asparagus.