In California's San Joaquin River Delta you will find Mister Spear, a premier supplier of gourmet vegetables and fruit. While they offer a wide range of produce including artichokes, apples and strawberries, we think their asparagus is the best!

Mister Spear Asparagus
Chip Arnett is passionate about jumbo sized asparagus; he lives to dispel the myth that thin asparagus is more tender than thicker asparagus. For 30 years his mail order company, Mister Spear, Inc., located in Stockton, close to San Joaquin River Delta asparagus growing region of California, has built its business on the superior flavor of their jumbo stalks. Technically at least 13/16-inch diameter, jumbo grade makes up only 4 to 5 percent of the total crop.  

Word of mouth fueled growing demand for the great tasting, thick and tender stalks. Mail order customers found that tenderness had everything to do with age, and not stalk size.  Says Arnett: ‘Skinny spears come from tired, overworked plants; thick spears usually come from young (3 to 6 year old), healthy ones.’ Originally only available from around April 1st until mid-May from California, Mister Spear now offers a Mexican grown crop, starting mid-February.

Word of this great-tasting asparagus came to the East Coast with former President Ronald Reagan, having become a fan as Governor of California, and today  Mister Spear is available at a very few selected retailers, including The Fresh Market.

Recipes
Check out one of these delicious Asparagus on our website, a great way to try Mister Spears Jumbo Asparagus.

• Asparagus in a Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette
• Asparagus with Citrus Vinaigrette
• Herbed Asparagus Sauté