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Choy sum

language culture Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Choy sum is a green leafy vegetable. Its name comes from a Cantonese word. That name means "heart of the vegetable." This plant belongs to the mustard family. It is also called Chinese flowering cabbage.

The plant has bright yellow flowers. Each flower has four round petals. The flowers grow on thick, tall stems. The green leaves have small bumps on the edges. Unlike some cabbage, this plant does not grow in tight heads.

Small, round seeds grow inside long pods. One pod can hold 4 to 46 seeds. When the pods dry, they open up. This lets the seeds fall out. The plant grows best in certain soil. It likes soil that is not too sour or too sweet.

People in China and Japan value this plant. It is a popular food. You can cook it in a warm soup. You can also blanch it in water. Many people like to stir-fry it in a pan. It is a very common part of Chinese meals.

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