Asparagus - What to look for when buying

California, New Jersey, Washington and Michigan are cheif sources of asparagus, available from mid-February through June, with peak supplies from April to June. 

When buying look for closed, compact tips, smooth, round spears and a fresh appearance.  A rich green color should cover most of the spear.  Stalks should be tender almost as far down as the green extends.

Avoid tips that are open and spread out, moldy or decayed tips, or ribbed spears (spears with up-and-down ridges, or that are not approximately round).  These are all signs of aging, and mean tough asparagus and poor flavor.  Also avoid excessively sandy asparagus, because sand grains can lodge beneath the scales or in the tips of the spears and are difficult to remove in washing.