Green is the most common color of asparagus you’ll find at farmers markets, but once in a while a creative farmer will slip in some purple or white asparagus just to keep you on your toes and pique your interest. What’s the difference?
Purple varieties of asparagus are sweeter and more tender than their green counterparts. A showpiece for salads, purple asparagus is best in recipes where it’s used raw or lightly steamed. It will lose its purple color when overcooked.
White asparagus is grown in the dark, under mounds of soil, so it lacks the chlorophyll that would make it green. It doesn’t see the light until it is harvested. It is milder in flavor and more tender than green asparagus and often costs more.
