What's the Deal With That Asparagus Aroma?

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:00:00 PDT

I love asparagus, and it's incredibly good for you - full of vitamin K, plus A and C and folate. But if you've ever eaten a lot of it, you might have noticed a rather odd side effect. There's really no delicate way to say this, so I'll just come right out with it: Eating asparagus can make your pee smell funny.

It doesn't happen to everyone, but if it happens to you, don't worry: The effect is totally harmless. The odor is merely a byproduct of digesting the veggie. According to WebMD, a compound called mercaptan, present in the green stalks, causes the ammonia- or sulfur-like smell to be released.

It is estimated that 40 to 50 percent of people experience this effect from asparagus; it's all a matter of genetics. If you've never noticed it, you may be immune, or you may simply be unable to smell it. The odor could appear the next day or in a matter of minutes. But aside from the obvious unpleasantness, the aroma of asparagus is nothing to be concerned about. Now aren't you glad we had this little chat?

Source

In Season: Morels

Susannah Chen — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:56:08 PDT

Spring produce may bring to mind images of asparagus and artichokes, but there are plenty of lesser known vernal veggies that are just as amazing as their popular counterparts. Take morel mushrooms. Come Spring, these fungi appear at the edges of forested areas, marked by conical caps and beautifully shirred crevices. A nutty aroma and meaty texture mean they're likely the most prized mushrooms in the Western world, overshadowed only by truffles. But beware: these fragile fruits, which grow in the wild, are difficult to find, expensive to obtain, and highly perishable. How to work around these challenges, when you read more.