Asparagus History

This vegetable was widely appreciated for its flavor, texture and medicinal qualities by the Greeks and Romans. Roman emperors loved this vegetable passionately and allotted special boats to fetch it. These boats were labeled as ‘The Asparagus Fleet’.

The Greeks appreciated asparagus, but never gave importance to its cultivation. However, the Romans mastered the art of Asparagus cultivation by 200 B.C. They would eat the asparagus in season as well as preserve it for later consumption by freezing, which was obtained by preserving the winter snow in straw.

By the 16th Century, Asparagus became popular in France and England and was later introduced to North America. Native Americans discovered the medicinal power of asparagus. They started drying the asparagus to use it as a panacea for bladder, kidney and heart problems.

Asparagus has also been depicted in ancient Egyptian writings and was also grown in Syria and Spain in Ancient times.