You've Been Storing Asparagus Wrong Your Entire Life

Every spring is when you start to see asparagus appearing on menus and grocery store shelves across the country (via The Spruce Eats). But the only downside to asparagus (other than that weird smell it tends to give your urine) is the fact that keeping it in the refrigerator tends to dry it out. 

Given that it's not the cheapest vegetable in the world, it's a shame to have to trim off the dry and inedible parts, leaving you with just a portion of what you originally paid for. This drying process accelerates faster with older asparagus, so it's important to purchase the freshest asparagus from the market or grocery store to begin with. 

Keeping your asparagus from drying out requires nothing more than a slight change in mindset. Instead of thinking about your asparagus as if it's a tasty vegetable that you're planning on eating for dinner, think about it as if your bunch of asparagus is a lovely bunch of flowers instead.

The best way to keep your asparagus fresh before cooking it is to cut about an inch off the bottom of each stalk (via The Kitchn). Use a rubber band to hold the individual stalks together as if you were making a bouquet out of them. Next, put a couple of inches of water in a glass or a jar that will fit the bouquet that you've made. A measuring cup will work in a pinch as well. 

Put the bunch of asparagus in the water and use a plastic bag to wrap the entire contraption. This ensures that the moisture stays in and prevents the water from evaporating. If you use this method, your asparagus will keep in the refrigerator for up to seven days. If you notice the water getting cloudy or the level gets lower (the asparagus will begin to absorb some of it), just refill it.