Purple Passion

Purple Passion is a distinctive purple-speared asparagus derived from the Italian heirloom Violetto d'Albenga and popularized for the home garden. Its deep burgundy-purple spears contain higher sugar levels than green types, giving a notably sweeter, more tender, and less fibrous eating quality that is excellent raw in salads. The purple color comes from anthocyanin pigments and largely fades to green when cooked. Spears are thick and rounded with fewer fibers, so they can often be eaten without peeling. Purple Passion is somewhat less productive than all-male Jersey hybrids and produces both male and female plants, but gardeners grow it for its gourmet flavor and ornamental appeal. It performs in USDA zones 3 to 8 and pairs well with green varieties for a colorful harvest.