Asparagus Facts for Kids

What am I?

​It takes 5 years for my plant to produce food to eat, but after that...  grow really fast—over 6 inches in just one day! I grow as long, thin spears.

I've been around for thousands of years. People have found me in ancient Egyptian tombs that are 2,400 years old! 

Where I grow

Instead of seeds, I grow from a bunch of roots called crowns. I grow on the ground in mounds. 

My spears come in three colors - green, purple, or white. If I'm green or purple, I was grown with the sun and produced chlorophyll, which gives me color. If I'm white, I was covered up with dirt and blankets for protection from the sun. The white spears are a delicacy (or special) and taste sweeter.

After I'm picked

Because I grow as a single spear, I must be hand picked. Plus, since I grow so quickly, it's a race against the clock to harvest me in time. If I grow too big, I will be hard and woody, which isn't tasty or easy to chew. 
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After I'm picked, I'm packaged in bunches with other spears. I'm usually roasted or fried and eaten with some seasoning. Yum!

Did you guess... Asparagus

Español: Espárragos

​Asparagus is a lot of work to grow! WARNING - after you eat me and go to the bathroom, you'll wonder, "what's that smell?" I have a byproduct called sulfur after I'm digested. ​Learn more in the video on the next slide. 

​Feed your food curiosity! Snackster Sam provides fun and educational content about food that grows. Join the adventure. Download the Snackster Sam app from Google Play or the App Store!