Asparagus is sold when it's ready-to-eat. It can degrade quickly and is at its best fresh, so use your spears up as soon as possible.

For best results, store asparagus in your fridge. Wrap the spears in a damp tea towel, which keeps the asparagus moist and protects it from damage. Place this in a plastic bag, in the crisper compartment of your fridge. Then use your asparagus up in 2 - 3 days.  To check if your asparagus is still fresh, flex the end of the spear, near the base, it should snap cleanly, rather than bend.

 

 

 

Look for firm, brightly coloured spears with tightly closed, compact tips. If the stalks have started to wrinkle then the asparagus is not as fresh as it could be.

 

 

Like all vegetables asparagus is full of nutritional goodness. It contains B vitamins, including folate, potassium, vitamin C, carotenoid antioxidants and fibre.