Produce
Asparagus
Asparagus grows fast enough to outrun most spray schedules and consistently shows one of the lowest detection rates of any vegetable. Conventional is a sound choice here even on an organic-leaning list.
Organic upgrade priority
Conventional is a reasonable budget choice
Score 3/100 · about $1.80 a week extra for a household of two
- →Conventional samples index 7/100 against 1/100 for organic — a 6-point difference.
- →At about 1.5 servings a week, the difference applies to a smaller share of what you eat.
- →Sample confidence is limited, so the score is weighted down by 28%.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 7/100
- Lower residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 82/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $4.49
- per lb · organic +40%
- Servings a week
- 1.5
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 1,328
- Conventional, 2017–2019 · 33 organic
- Data confidence
- Limited
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional asparagus
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 1,328 | 33 |
| Program years | 2017–2019 | 2017–2019 |
| Samples with any residue | 13% | 3% |
| Mean residues per sample | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 1.13% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 7/100 | 1/100 |
| Typical price | $4.49 / lb | $6.29 / lb |
Nutrition
Per 1 cup (134 g).
27
calories
3 g
protein
2.8 g
fiber
—
sugar
- Folate 34% DV
- Vitamin K 46% DV
- Prebiotic inulin
How to wash asparagus
Rinse the tips carefully — the scales trap sand from the field. Snap rather than cut the woody ends; the stalk breaks where it stops being tough.
Washing reduces surface residue and soil. It does not remove systemic compounds taken up into the plant, and no soap, vinegar, or commercial produce wash has been shown to beat 30 seconds of plain running water by a margin worth paying for. Full washing guide.
Buying and storing
- ◆Stand cut asparagus in an inch of water in the fridge like flowers. It stays crisp for a week instead of two days.
- ◆Thick spears are not older or tougher than thin ones — thickness is set by the age of the crown, not the harvest date.
Common questions
›Should I buy organic asparagus?
Probably not, if money is tight. Asparagus indexes 7/100 on relative residue evidence against 1/100 for organic — a difference small enough that the same dollars buy far more on leafy greens or berries.
›Are asparagus high in pesticides?
Asparagus shows lower residue evidence — an index of 7/100 relative to other commodities. Across 1,328 conventional samples from 2017–2019, 13% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 0.2 distinct compounds per sample, and 1.13% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
›How much more does organic asparagus cost?
About 40% more at typical U.S. retail — $4.49 per lb conventional against $6.29 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $1.80 a week.
›How should I wash asparagus?
Rinse the tips carefully — the scales trap sand from the field. Snap rather than cut the woody ends; the stalk breaks where it stops being tough.
Related foods
Spinach
$3.29 / 5 oz container · organic $4.49
Kale
$2.79 / bunch · organic $3.79
Broccoli
$2.49 / lb · organic $3.69
Bell peppers
$1.49 / each · organic $2.29