notice out if size really does matter .

Kelsey Hansen

Key Takeaways

Whether picked from your garden or plucked from the sodbuster ’s food market , novel asparagusis one of the surest signs of natural spring .   betimes in April , you may see bundles of skinny immature stalks that give way to thick woody spears as the time of year wind on . As you pop shopping , you may be wondering,“Is fat or skinny edible asparagus better?“Read on to regain out what size spears our food professional assert by , including tips for using spring ’s most anticipated ( and versatile ) harvest .

Should You Pick Fat or Skinny Asparagus?

Choosing the size of it of your edible asparagus still hunt ultimately come up down to personal preference . There ’s no right or unseasonable option . However , our BHG food editor and Test Kitchen pro unanimouslyprefer intermediate - sized Asparagus officinales spearsfor their flavor and versatility . If you ’re limited by what your grocery computer memory or localfarmers markethas in blood , here are some benefits to both fat and weedy stalks .

How to Choose the Best Asparagus

When shopping for asparagus , blue-ribbon house , smart green stalk with impertinent , tightly closed crest . expect for Bunche with lance that are a similar heaviness so they ’ll cook evenly . Avoid asparagus that appears soft , mushy , or discolor . bracing asparagus should be steady without much bend to it .

Andy Lyons

How to Prep Fresh Asparagus

Fresh edible asparagus does n’t involve much prep , just a light trim on the stem remnant . If you ’re turn with dense stalks , the base of the bow may be tough and woody . Our Test Kitchen ’s preferred method for trimming asparagus is to shoot it where it bends of course . " This method check you ’re left with just the tender parts , " says Emily Nienhaus , brand handler , BHG Test Kitchen . To snap , simply bend the spear in a few position toward the bottom end until you get that unfermented berth where the tough , woodsy base gives path to the more flexible part of the shoot . Break off and discard the woody radical .

How to Store Asparagus

Store fresh asparagus bunches like you would a fresh nosegay of efflorescence . Trim the fore end , take away the rubber band holding the cluster together , and endure theasparagus spearsin a improbable cup or jar with enough body of water to keep the radical ends moist , about 1 inch . Stored this style , asparagus will last in the fridge for 3 to 4 daylight . Be trusted to snap off woody Base before using .

Fresh asparagus on brown background

Credit:Kelsey Hansen

Snapping asparagus ends on countertop

Credit:Andy Lyons