How do I select fresh asparagus?

Look for firm, crisp stalks with tightly closed, perky tips. Choose asparagus with a just-cut appearance—moist but not wet, bright but not woody. Avoid limp stalks, split ends, or tips that look aged.

Should I snap or trim asparagus?

Use your eyes and a knife. Trim about an inch from the bottom of each spear. For especially thick stalks, peel the lower half with a vegetable peeler for refined, even tenderness.

How should I store asparagus?

The best place to store asparagus is in your stomach—eat it fresh! If you must delay, treat it like a bouquet of flowers: trim the ends, stand stalks upright in a jar of water, loosely cover the tops with plastic, and refrigerate.