Talk:Asparagus

From CopperWiki

ASPARAGUS. A super source of the antioxidant glutathione, to lower cancer risk. The larger the diameter, better the quality types: white asparagus, green asparagus, wild German asparagus.

Did you know, 'Asparagus pee' has a distinct odour: 'During the asparagus season members are requested not to relieve themselves into the umbrella stand' http://en.wikipedia.org. The smell cannot be noticed in raw or cooked asparagus, so it is believed that the body converts a compound within asparagus into a metabolite, which can then be smelled in the urine. The odour is often described as the smell of rotten or boiling cabbage, or even ammonia, and is believed to be due to the presence of methyl mercaptan, also known as methanethiol, which is a sulphur containing derivative of the amino acid methionine. Don't panic! You should be reassured, however, that the smell in the urine is not a sign of disease. http://student.bmj.com/back_issues/0800/education/277.html

Alternative cooking methods are steaming and griddling. Griddling tends to emphasise the bitterness more than boiling or steaming. Alternative (traditional) accompaniments for serving asparagus are butter (sometimes seasoned with black pepper) or a soft boiled or poached egg.