Flowering Chinese Cabbage (Choy Sum)
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Major Growing Areas
Originally from the vicinity of Europe and Central Asia, flowering Chinese cabbages are now widely grown in Guangdong Province.
Varieties
Also known as choy sum or yau choy. Some of the more commonly recognised varieties are round-leaved flowering Chinese cabbages, pointed-leaved flowering Chinese cabbages, late flowering Chinese cabbages, and baby flowering Chinese cabbages. Rare in the market, purple flowering Chinese cabbages, which have purple stems, are mainly in season during winter.
Nutritional Values
Rich in β-carotene and calcium, the flowering Chinese cabbage is a low-fat and low-energy vegetable. Flowering Chinese cabbage is also rich in dietary fibre, which helps maintain bowel health.
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| Per 100 g |
| Energy |
12 kcal |
| Dietary Fibre |
1.5 g |
| β-carotene |
622 µg |
| Vitamin C |
37mg |
| Calcium |
100 mg |
| Potassium |
330 mg |
Buying and Cooking Tips
The best flowering Chinese cabbages should have vibrant green (almost light green) stems, and leaves that are narrow, slender, waxy and free from yellowing. Flowering Chinese cabbages with buds are of a higher quality, and have a softer texture and a sweeter taste. Flowering Chinese cabbages are suitable for cooking using methods such as salad-making, stir-frying with less oil, and soup-making.
Fun Facts
There is a saying that we eat melons in summer and vegetables in winter. Though flowering Chinese cabbages are available throughout the year, they are the most abundant and flavourful during autumn and winter. Especially sweet during this period, they are delicious no matter stir-fried or blanched. In addition, adding a little rock sugar or granulated sugar while blanching flowering Chinese cabbages helps keep them vibrant green and avoid yellowing.
Common Dishes:
Stir-fried Beef and Flowering Chinese Cabbages; Simmered Flowering Chinese Cabbages with Garlic and Chinese Wolfberries in Broth; Stir-fried Flowering Chinese Cabbages, Chinese Leek and Shiitake Mushrooms, etc.
"One serving of vegetables" is approximately equivalent to:
½ bowl of cooked flowing Chinese cabbages
Note: One bowl = 250-300 ml
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