 Workers Sorting Asparagus |
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After harvesting, the asparagus spears are quickly taken to packing sheds where they are washed, trimmed, and sorted by size. The spears are then packed in wood or fiberboard crates, which are lined with moist pads that prevent the asparagus from drying during shipment. |
 Working Packaging Asparagus  Crates of Asparagus |
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Do you know why a two-inch space is left at the top of the crate when asparagus is packed? It's because the spears continue to grow after they're harvested! Next, the crates of asparagus are rapidly cooled using a process called "hydrocooling." Can you guess what this means? Well, "hydro" means water, so it's when warm produce is cooled with chilled water. This prevents any further growth from occurring during shipping. |
 Truck Carrying Asparagus |
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From California, asparagus is shipped in refrigerated trucks to grocery stores all over the United States. It takes about 3-4 days to reach the east coast. Some asparagus is even shipped by jet airplanes! |
