Chinese broccoli, also known as kai lan or gai lan, should be harvested before its flowers bloom and have thick, solid stems. Freshness is important for quality and taste, and it should be refrigerated immediately if not used right away. It can be purchased at Asian grocery stores or online.
Chinese broccoli is a staple in many Asian dishes, but it can also be chosen as an alternative to traditional Western forms of the cruciferous vegetable. Also known as kai lan or gai lan, the best form of this food is harvested before its flowers bloom. Quality kai lan should also have thick, solid stems. Fresh gai lan has a short shelf life and it is best to refrigerate any leftovers for the best cooking results. If Chinese broccoli isn’t common in your local supermarket, the best places to buy the food include an Asian grocery store or online outlet store.
Kai lan is known for its flowers amidst the leaves of the vegetable, but the best versions of this type of produce are harvested from the farm before the buds bloom. When looking for the vegetable in a store or farmer’s market, the fresher versions have closed buds. You can still choose a stem with already bloomed flowers, but keep in mind that it will have a shorter life. Also, avoid Chinese broccoli which has flowers that have already bloomed and broken off.
Like other forms of broccoli, kai lan is known for its firm, thick stems. When choosing the best Chinese broccoli, feel the stems to determine their firmness. Vegetables that have mushy stems should not be purchased as this is indicative of a spoiled product. Avoid vegetables that have discolored stems or those with brown spots.
Choosing fresh Chinese broccoli is important in terms of quality and taste, and the best culinary results are often obtained when the vegetable is used immediately. Since many shoppers do not purchase food on a daily basis, there is a risk that the vegetable may spoil before use. In order to keep freshly harvested gai lan at its best, it is vital to refrigerate it immediately if you plan to cook it at a later date. Typically, fresh Chinese broccoli can be refrigerated for 3-5 days.
Gai lan is best bought fresh from the grocery store, but the vegetable is not widely available in all regions. In some cases, you’ll need to purchase broccoli from a specialty store, preferably one that stocks various Chinese vegetables. Another option is to order food from the Internet: If you plan to cook it often, you can usually get cut prices for buying it in bulk from an online outlet.
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