Choice and storage

Choy sum, native to South China, stands as probably the most sought-after leafy greens in native markets all through East Asia and Southeast Asia. These days, it is also available in specialty grocers and Asian markets throughout Europe, Australia, and america.

Choy sum affords versatility in harvesting, starting from tender younger greens to flowering tops. When younger, its leaves possess a delicate taste akin to spinach, whereas because it matures, the style intensifies, resembling the pungency of mustard greens.

Choy sum is a cool-season crop. Contemporary produce inundates markets, reaching its peak from fall by means of spring. However, the supply of recent produce year-round can be assured, because of greenhouse farming practices.

When deciding on choy sum on the market, go for recent, crisp, darkish inexperienced leaves with clean stalks and vibrant flowering tops, steering away from any indicators of wilting or discoloration.

As soon as at residence, promptly refrigerate the leaves to keep up freshness. For optimum taste and dietary advantages, it’s advisable to make use of recent choy sum greens as quickly as attainable.

Choy sum could be saved for as much as 3-4 days in chilly storage circumstances, ideally at temperatures between 5-8°C and with humidity ranges exceeding 90%.

Preparation and serving strategies

Choy sum is a typical inexperienced leafy staple in Cantonese delicacies. Its recent leaves, flower buds, and stems are utilized in quite a lot of cuisines throughout East Asia and within the West, the place a major Chinese language diaspora exists.

Choy sum could be substituted for gai lan, mustard greens, broccoli rabe, and so forth., in related cooked dishes.

Earlier than cooking, totally wash the leaves in clear operating water to take away any sand or insecticide residues. Trim away thick petioles and stems.

Listed below are some serving concepts:

Choy sum stir fry in garlic sauce. Courtesy: Jonathan

• Grown-up choy sum stems and leaves could also be preserved as a pickled vegetable. They’re additionally unbelievable when added to soups and stews or braised with aromatics akin to rice wine, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and spring onions.

• Contemporary tender choy sum greens are eaten uncooked in salads.

• It enhances nicely in soups and stir-fries with mushrooms, hen, shrimp, and tofu.

• Steam or blanch choy sum calmly to protect each taste and texture, then combine in garlic sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds as a garnish.

• Stir-fry complete or chopped choy sum in garlic oil and mix with oyster sauce.

Security profile

• Reheating leftovers of choy sum, together with different leafy greens like mustard greens and spinach, can result in the conversion of nitrates into nitrites and nitrosamines by sure micro organism thriving on nitrate-rich meals. These poisonous compounds pose potential hurt to well being.

• Phytates and dietary fiber current in choy sum could intervene with the bioavailability of iron, calcium, and magnesium.

• Choy sum, being a Brassica household vegetable, incorporates oxalic acid, a naturally occurring substance present in some greens that will crystallize as oxalate stones within the urinary tract in some folks. Individuals with recognized oxalate urinary tract stones are suggested to keep away from consuming greens belonging to the Brassica household. Satisfactory consumption of water is, subsequently, vital to keep up regular urine output.

• Choy sum can also include goitrogens, which can intervene with thyroid hormone manufacturing and might trigger thyroxine hormone deficiency in people with thyroid dysfunction.

(Medical Disclaimer: The data and reference guides on this web site are supposed solely for the final info of the reader. It isn’t for use to diagnose well being issues or for therapy functions. It isn’t an alternative to medical care supplied by a licensed and certified well being skilled. Please seek the advice of your well being care supplier for any recommendation on drugs.)

You may additionally prefer to learn ≻≻

≺≺ Again to Greens from Choy sum. Go to right here for a formidable listing of greens with full illustrations of their vitamin info and well being advantages.

≺≺ Again to Dwelling web page.

Additional studying:

1. Refer Stanford Faculty of Medication Most cancers info Web page- Diet to Scale back Most cancers Threat (Hyperlink opens in new window).

2. Meals Requirements Australia & New Zealand.

3. Manufacturing Information for Choy Sum—An Rising Asian Vegetable in Florida –College of Florida-IFAS Extension (Hyperlink opens in new window).

4. Specialty Produce (Hyperlink opens in new window).