Follow One Golden Rule When Cooking Asparagus For The Most Tender Results

From pan-fried to steamed and from a side dish to a main, asparagus can be whatever you want it to be. But turning asparagus from tough to fork-tender requires good technique and timing — and one golden rule makes all the difference. If you don't have time to fuss with technique and want to get the most tender result right away, you need to start with the right variety: Purple Passion asparagus.

Purple Passion is a variety of asparagus that gets its deep violet-purple hue from a natural compound known as anthocyanin. Other than looking fabulous, Purple Passion is also known for being significantly tender. If you get your hands on these spears, you'll find they're a lot quicker to cook than regular asparagus — just remember not to freak out when they turn green. You didn't buy a fake batch, the anthocyanin pigment naturally breaks down when exposed to heat.

Purple Passion can be used in any asparagus dish without modifying the recipe — you can simply swap it one-for-one with regular asparagus. Start with Miram Hahn's perfect steamed asparagus recipe to get a feel of just how tender it is. After that, try it raw in Tanika Douglas' spring harvest farro salad recipe – not only will you be able to preserve its beautiful color, but since it's said to be sweeter than regular varieties, you'll be able to enjoy its full flavor.

There's real science behind Purple Passion asparagus' tenderness. The reason why regular asparagus is so stiff in the first place is that it contains lot of a natural fiber known as lignin. Purple Passion just has less of it, which is why it mellows out so easily when cooked. As an added bonus, Purple Passion also packs more  natural sugar, making it even tastier than its green counterpart. If you're not a big fan of greens... Well, these purples could change your mind.

Do watch out, however, as not all purple asparagus is Purple Passion asparagus — there are several different cultivars. One of the biggest tips for cooking with asparagus is knowing you may come across regular purple asparagus at the store, which has a purple tint but still shows green underneath. True Purple Passion asparagus has an even coat of purple throughout. If you're unsure what type you're buying, ask the staff or the people manning the booth at the farmer's market.

Purple Passion asparagus operates on its own exclusive schedule. Unlike the dependable green varieties that are seemingly available year-round, this purple beauty makes rare appearances at farmers markets and specialty stores between late April and May. Timing your farmers market trips well will increase your chances of getting some – but if you miss the window, you'll be out of luck until next year. It's not a bad idea to ask vendors about them ahead of time. 

As it turns out, the most reliable path to getting stalks of Purple Passion asparagus in your kitchen is through your own garden. The most dedicated of fans have turned to online marketplaces for seeds and crowns like these hand-picked bare root Purple Passion plants to grow themselves in their backyard. If you're willing to do some detective work, local gardening communities and online farming groups may be willing to sell or give you some of their homegrown purple asparagus.