Where hydrocooling is not carried out, cold room cooling can be used, although forced air cooling is not recommended. Storage Conditions Optimum storage conditions for asparagus are 1oC to 2oC, with 90-95 percent relative humidity. With uniform temperatures and adequate air circulation, asparagus can be stored for two to three weeks. Rapid cooling is essential for quality maintenance. This loss is manifested by hardening of the stem, loss of green color, water loss, and development of off flavors.
Quality loss occurs faster in stems harvested with open or opening bracts.
Rapid precooling, cold chain maintenance, and optimum storage are the essential factors in maintaining asparagus quality. Transport Because asparagus is highly perishable, all local transport should be refrigerated. If air shipments are made, and the stems remain on a runway for extended periods of time without refrigeration, stems will undergo irreversible damage. Heat, dryness, light, and ethylene all are capable of reducing quality in a few hours. Broken tips and crushed stems are the most common types of damage inflicted by machines.