Look for firm stalks. They shouldn’t be dried out or wrinkled. And, they shouldn’t be rubbery, soft, limp or leathery.
They should be tightly closed and fresh-looking. Skip any that look frazzled, dry, or that are starting to open. And definitely pass on any that are mushy or slimy.
Usually, the asparagus is actually sitting in little troughs of water, almost like a bouquet of cut flowers. It keeps it fresher longer!
With no water in their troughs to keep them hydrated, the tips of these asparagus spears are looking dry and frizzly. Not a good sign!
See those wrinkly, dehydrated ends? Trust me on this … walk away FAST!