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Tips & tricks for peeling asparagus

Asparagus peeler, asparagus knife or just any regular peeler? Here is how asparagus peeling actually works the fastest.

It’s all about the peeler

Peeling asparagus can be a tedious task if the tool is not right. But what is the matter and does it have to be a special tool?

Does it have to be a special peeler?

If you peel asparagus only occasionally, you do not necessarily have to have a special peeler. General peelers are well suited for asparagus if the blade is new and sharp and the peeling thickness is right. If it is too thin, only the upper layer of the skin is removed and tenacious fibers remain, which lessen the pleasure immensly. If the peeling thickness is too thick, too much is lost. A swivel peeler with high quality blade and medium peeling thickness is ideal. It should also have a replaceable blade, because a blunt blade is a no-go when peeling asparagus.

Normal peelers are an option. However, as they are not specifically designed for asparagus, peeling is slower and the blade needs to be regularly cleaned from adhering fibers.

For the impatient, asparagus fans and connoisseurs

A real asparagus peeler is a good choice for all who love asparagus, want to peel quickly and above all uncomplicated. Because a good asparagus peeler takes the peculiarities of the asparagus into consideration:

tough fibers: The extremely sharp and replaceable blade is particularly sharp and can easily cut through fibers
sticky fibers: It needs a special blade shape, so that adhering fibers are very easy to remove
adherent skin: The special shape should divert the skin and prevent it from re-attaching to the spears
fragile spears: The peeler should support the spears from below to prevent breakage
skin thickness: Asparagus should be peeled slightly thicker to remove all fibers, but thin enough to avoid unnecessary loss

The triangle asparagus peeler is based on our experience with blades for asparagus peeling machines to fulfill all requirements and very easy to clean. Simply move it around in a bowl of water and you are ready to go.

For the experienced, professionals and large quantities

The fastest, but also the most demanding form of asparagus peeling is the one with a professional asparagus knife. The special knife has a 10 cm long, straight and razor-sharp blade. At the front half sits an adjustable clip, which acts as a spacer. This allows the desired peel thickness to be set exactly and adapted to the asparagus quality. The back half of the blade is designed to cut off the ends.

With practice, peeling with this knife is very quick and material-saving. But it may take a while until the movement and the perfect peeling angle are learned. Therefore, for most users the asparagus knife is the better choice.

The right technique for asparagus peeling

The choice of asparagus & its storage

The asparagus should be as fresh as possible. If the shell dries out, it will become rubbery and difficult to peel. If you cannot use the asparagus right away, it is best kept wrapped in a damp kitchen towel in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator.

The right preparation

First cut off the woody end. The peeler will glide better through the skin and will not get caught.

The water bowl

Always provide some water in a bowl to rinse the peeler and remove the sticky fibers. So the blade is free again and can unfold its full effect. If the peeler has no groove through which the fibers can be washed away, you may also need to carefully wipe the blade with kitchen paper.

The fingernail trick

Are you unsure if the asparagus is completely peeled? The fingernail test brings clarity! Simply push the nail lightly along the fiber into the asparagus. If it penetrates between the fibers, the skin is gone.