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 the US.

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 spring. Nonetheless, the supply of contemporary produce year-round can be assured, due to greenhouse farming practices.

When choosing choy sum on the market, go for contemporary, 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 contemporary choy sum greens as quickly as attainable.

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

Preparation and serving strategies

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

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

Earlier than cooking, completely 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 incredible when added to soups and stews or braised with aromatics equivalent to rice wine, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and spring onions.

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

• It enhances effectively in soups and stir-fries with mushrooms, rooster, shrimp, and tofu.

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

• Stir-fry entire 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, accommodates oxalic acid, a naturally occurring substance present in some greens which will crystallize as oxalate stones within the urinary tract in some folks. Folks with recognized oxalate urinary tract stones are suggested to keep away from consuming greens belonging to the Brassica household. Satisfactory consumption of water is, due to this fact, vital to keep up regular urine output.

• Choy sum might also comprise 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 overall data of the reader. It’s not for use to diagnose well being issues or for remedy functions. It’s not an alternative to medical care offered by a licensed and certified well being skilled. Please seek the advice of your well being care supplier for any recommendation on medicines.)

You may additionally wish to learn ≻≻

≺≺ Again to Greens from Choy sum. Go to right here for a powerful checklist of greens with full illustrations of their diet details and well being advantages.

≺≺ Again to Residence web page.

Additional studying:

1. Refer Stanford College of Drugs Most cancers data Web page- Diet to Scale back Most cancers Danger (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).