White and Green Asparagus - The Difference is Dark.

White and green asparagus are the same. White asparagus is grown completely in the dark, a process known as etiolation, and results in a lack of chlorophyll, the chemical that makes most plants green. White asparagus is supposedly more tender and more mild in flavour compared to green asparagus. There is also a purple variety of asparagus. Originally from Italy, most purple asparagus is a result of the selective breeding resulting in many hardy hybrids. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey is a producer of many asparagus hybrids such as 'Jersey Supreme, 'Jersey Knight', and 'Jersey Giant'.