What the hell is That Smell? (Food Fact)

     Good morning, Fam...  Stopping by to post about one of my favorite things.  Food.  We will, from today forward, call this segment about food, FOOD FACT.  Recently, I was on a flash diet.  I call it flash because it was brief and lasting for a short length of time.  During this time, my food intake was very, and I mean very limited with one of the main foods being ASPARAGUS.  I like asparagus, but many people don't and after stuffing my face with it for 5 consecutive days, I am not feeling it much more myself.


     The first time I encountered asparagus was at a formal event.  Asparagus was the vegetable for the meal.  I remember having to go to the ladies room and as I entered I immediately was hit in the face by a line of women waiting (why do women always have a line?) and a horrible smell that I could not identify.  All I could think was, 'what the hell is that smell'?  I, of course just thought somebody had a baaadddd stomach issue and the aroma had spread throughout the room.  It wasn't until days later when I was talking with someone and they informed me that Asparagus makes your "pee" stink.


     Asparagus is a part of the Lily family.  Although it is available all year round, the optimal season lasts from February through June.  It has a mild flavor (some people say slightly bitter) and to me generally takes on the flavor of whatever sauce or spice you place on it.  Asparagus has diuretic properties.  The composition of Asparagus is 93% water according to Wikipedia.  It's low in calories and sodium.  It is loaded with vitamins,  fiber, minerals, and amino acids.  Asparagus is usually found in the market as a green colored product, but it is also available in white and purple.   The white asparagus is popular in European countries.  White asparagus happens due to a blanching technique while the shoots are growing.  The shoots are covered with soil as they grow, keeping them devoid of sunlight.  This prevents photosynthesis--the process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy that can later be released to fuel the organisms' activities (energy transformation).  Which in turn keeps the plant from turning green.  There is also a purple variety of asparagus that turn green once cooked.


     Asparagus contains asparagusic acid.  Once it is eaten and digested that chemical breaks down into various sulfur containing compounds.  These compounds are what produce THE SMELL.  Within in 15-30 minutes after eating asparagus the smell begins.


     According to Dole.com, when you buy asparagus make sure you purchase spears that are bright green (or pale ivory), straight and firm with tightly closed tips.  Select the ones with only about one inch of tough, woody, base to trim off at the bottom of the stalk.  Look for spears that are thicker because they will be more tender than thinner ones.  You need to store it properly so you can get the best shelf life out of it.  When you bring it home from the store, wrap the bottom part of the stalk with damp paper towels and keep in a plastic bag, in the coldest part of your refrigerator.  You can usually keep it for about 4 days.


     You can boil it, grill it, sauté it, barbeque it, and it doesn't take long to cook.  If you have never tried it, buy a bunch (it usually comes bundled in a bunch), search for a recipe and have at it.  You may just like it.


SMOOCHES